One Killed, One Injured in Clark County Crash Thursday Morning

(THE SCENE ONCE THE FIRE WAS OUT AFTER A CRASH OUTSIDE CASEY THURSDAY MORNING)

A semi struck a bridge support in Clark County Thursday morning, killing one man and injuring the driver.

The crash occurred at 2:58am on Eastbound I-70 at the Casey interchange. State police say the rig drifted off the roadway to the right onto the shoulder and struck a bridge support carrying the bridge for Illinois Route 49 over the interstate. The impact caused a fire that damaged both the rig and the bridge structure.

A passenger in the semi, 23-year-old Michael Gilmore of Silverwood, Michigan, was killed in the crash. The Clark County Coroner pronounced Gilmore dead at the scene of the crash.

The driver of the rig, 54-year-old Ralph Apone of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was injured and was taken to Carle Hospital in Urbana for treatment. Apone was cited for improper lane usage.

Traffic was routed off Eastbound I-70 at the scene while the crash was handled and an investigation of the scene was completed.