Semi Hydroplanes Off Interstate in Effingham

A semi hydroplaned off the interstate at Effingham during an early morning rainstorm today.

State police say the rig was driven by 51-year-old Tamara Stees of Aurora. Stees told police she attempted to move from the center lane to the right lane of northbound I-57 about a mile south of the Fayette Avenue interchange when her rig began to hydroplane.

The semi swerved off the roadway to the left, sliding down an embankment and coming to rest in a ravine about 40 yards off the roadway. Stees was injured and was taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Stees was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash, which occurred at 3:50am.