Man Killed in Marion County When Two Semis Collide

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Published on March 16 2016 2:57 pm
Last Updated on March 16 2016 2:57 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A Richland County man has been killed in a collision involving two semis on US 50 west of Salem.

57-year-old Kevin D. Van Blaricum of Noble was killled when his rig collided with another semi driven by 53-year-old Samuel Simmons of Olney at 9:19am Wednesday.

Illinois State Police report the crash happened at Norton Road, two miles west of Odin. An investigation indicates that Van Blaricum's eastbound rig traveled into the westbound lane and struck Simmons' semi on the driver's side. Simmons lost control of his steering and his semi crossed over the eastbound lane into the ditch. Van Blaricum then drove into the western lane ditch on the north side of the highway.

Van Blaricum was pronounced dead at the scene. Simmons was not injured.

Sandoval and Odin firefighters assisted at the scene with extrication, while Salem firefighters responded for hazmat assistance. The hazmat call was due to a ruptured fuel tank on one of the rigs.