Information Released on First Crash on I-57 in Coles County Thursday

District 10 Illinois State Police have released a report on the first crash Thursday afternoon on I-57 northbound in Coles County. This is the crash that led to the traffic backup that resulted in the second crash, where three people were killed.

The crash occurred at 3:11pm, two miles south of the Illinois Route 16 interchange.

Police report a truck tractor trailer driven by 53-year-old Jonathan Turner of Water Valley, Mississippi was traveling southbound when the rig crossed the median. The rig struck the trailer of a northbound truck tractor trailer driven by 47-year-old Mathew Credeur of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. 

Turner's rig overturned and then struck a northbound van driven by 45-year-old James Winn of Mattoon. Turner's rig then struck a northbound truck driven by 44-year-old Christina Wiltz Credeur of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

Turner's rig finally came to rest into the northbound lanes.

Turner and Christina Credeur were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. Neither Winn nor Mathew Credeur were injured.

Turner was cited for improper lane usage. 

I-57 northbound was finally reopened at that crash scene at 9:33pm, more than six hours after the crash occurred.