EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. – The fatal crash of a truck hauling toxic substances in Central Illinois left five people dead and five others severely injured, with an additional several hundred residents being evacuated as a result of the accident, authorities reported on Saturday.
The crash, which occurred at around 9:25 p.m. on Friday night in Teutopolis, involved a semitruck carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia which tipped over and spilled more than half of its 7,500-gallon load. The spill forced the evacuation of nearby residents, and emergency personnel struggled to contain the leak and attend to the crash site. Among the confirmed dead were three individuals from the same family, along with two adult motorists from out of state, while five others were airlifted to area hospitals for treatment.
Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns described the dangerous air conditions following the accident, emphasizing the challenges that emergency responders faced in managing the hazardous material. The National Transportation Safety Board also announced plans to review the crash.
Residents within a mile of the crash site were evacuated, and officials worked through the night to assess the potential impact of the toxic substance. Complicating the situation was an earlier accident on Interstate 70, which forced detoured traffic through the area.
Anhydrous ammonia, used in agricultural and industrial applications, poses severe risks if inhaled, and previous incidents have resulted in widespread illness and fatalities. Efforts to contain and manage the hazardous spill continued, with investigators and environmental contractors being called in to develop a cleanup plan.
The crash site and its immediate vicinity remained heavily restricted, as authorities urged patience and cooperation from the public in the midst of the ongoing investigation and cleanup effort.