Crime & Safety

Update: Yorkville Truck Driver Dies from I-80 Crash Injures

The crash was just east of the Ridge Road interchange and caused the closure of eastbound I-80 for a few hours.

Update/4:20 p.m.:

A Yorkville man who lost control of his truck Monday morning on Interstate 80, near Minooka, has died from injuries sustained in the crash, Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Wilfredo Rivera said.

Joseph J. Drwal, 35, died at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he'd been airlifted following the 9 a.m. accident, Rivera said.

Police still do not know what caused Drwal to cross from the westbound to the eastbound lanes of traffic, causing his semi-truck to roll and spill its cooking oil contents, he said.

While no other vehicles were involved in the crash, pieces of debris did come loose from the truck and struck other vehicles, he said. No one else was injured.

Update/1:55 p.m.:

Both sides of Interstate 80 have reopened to traffic following the rollover accident of a semi-truck that seriously injured the driver and spilled the truck's cooking oil contents.

The driver, who had to be extricated from the truck cab, was airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, according to a story posted online by the Chicago Tribune. His identity and condition have not been released.
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Illinois State Police Sgt. Scott Angus told the paper that it's not known why the driver, who was westbound, lost control and rolled over into the eastbound lanes of traffic.

***

All eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 at mile marker 123 in Minooka were closed Monday morning after a crash involving two semi trucks.
Initial reports said the crash involved a semi and a car, but Illinois State Police Sgt. Scott Angus said the crash was between two semis.

Patch will update the story as more information becomes available.

10:22 a.m.: Patch reader Chris V. posted the following to the Joliet Facebook page: "I am sitting here about 1/2 mile east of Ridge Road. All traffic has been stopped in both lanes. I have seen three huge tow trucks pass on the right shoulder and police cars on the left. A helicopter flying over."

11 a.m. NBCChicago.com posted a story with an aerial photo.

11:30 a.m. Channahon Police are reporting traffic congestion on Route 6:
"Due to a rollover accident on I-80 traffic is being diverted onto US Rt. 6. The diversion is causing heavier than normal traffic patterns and at times traffic congestion. Please seek alternate routes and allow for possible delays when traveling."

12:47 a.m. Illinois State Police have confirmed that the crash on Interstate 80 Monday morning involved one vehicle - a semi truck. One patient was transported from the scene via helicopter. Although the westbound lanes of I-80 are now open, the eastbound lanes remain closed as police clean the scene of the crash.






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