Semi Strikes Car on Interstate Monday

An Effingham man was injured Monday afternoon when a semi struck the car he was driving on the interstate on the north side of the city.

The crash happened at 4pm when a semi driven by 42-year-old David Blalock of Brinkey, Arkansas traveled into the neighboring lane and struck a car driven by 41-year-old Richard Beagle of Effingham.

Beagle was injured and was transported by Abbott Ambulance to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Blalock was cited for improper lane usage. 

Effingham firefighters assisted Illinois State Police at the scene. Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko said a firefighter and his wife from Texas saw the crash and stopped to help get Beagle out of his car. 

Tutko said the semi pushed Beagle's car about a quarter of a mile.