Accident Closed Southbound I-57 South of Salem Monday

A two semi accident closed I-57 southbound at Salem yesterday.

At 11:27 Monday morning a partially loaded tanker truck carrying crude oil was traveling northbound on Interstate 57 just south of Salem when for an unknown reason the driver lost control, crossed the median, and glanced off the rear side of a FedEx semi. The tanker truck then continued across the southbound lanes and hit a guardrail on the west side of the interstate before coming to a stop.

Firemen had to open the door of the cab of the tanker truck to get the driver out. He was then airlifted from the scene by Air Evac. 

The FedEx driver refused medical treatment. 

The tanker did not spill any of its load. The impact of the crash on the FedEx trailer caused it to split open and spill some of its load on the highway.

State Police are continuing their investigation.