Traffic at North Trilevel Back to Normal After Crash, Fire

(A PHOTO FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH AND FIRE. THE SCENE HAS BEEN CLEARED AND ROADWAYS ARE OPEN AGAIN)

A semi trailer truck crashed and caught fire Tuesday afternoon, causing traffic to be rerouted at the north trilevel at Effingham. State police say the trilevel was closed for about 2-1/2 hours.

Crews had to offload liquids from the damaged truck. At that point, the truck was moved to the Green Creek Rest Area and the north trilevel was reopened.

The trucker, 42-year-old Anthony Bohn of Virginia, was taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Bohn was cited for improper lane usage.

At one point, all those heading north on I-57 were routed east to Montrose where they had to utilize the interchange and come back west on I-70 to go north on I-57. Likewise, those south on I-57 heading into Effingham couldn't use the eastbound I-70 ramp and had to use the US 45 interchange to head east on I-70.

The exchange at Montrose resulted in a five-mile traffic backup on I-70 westbound for a time.