Two Semis Collide Near Montrose, Both Drivers Injured

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Published on July 12 2017 4:18 pm
Last Updated on July 13 2017 6:16 am
Written by Greg Sapp

(A PHOTO FROM THE CRASH SCENE...thanks to Teutopolis Fire Protection District)

Both drivers were injured when two semis collided on I-70 near Montrose just before 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.

The crash happened on the eastbound lanes about two miles west of Montrose where a construction zone begins, limiting travel to one lane. A rig driven by 26-year-old Denis Elkaz of Hamtramck, Michigan, was stopped in traffic leading into the construction zone and was struck from behind by a semi driven by 30-year-old James Ranspot of Henrietta, Texas. Reports are that when the rigs collided, one unit ended up off the roadway in a ditch, while the other unit overturned.

Ranspot had to be airlifted from the scene, while Elkaz was transported to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

One of the rigs was pulling a box trailer loaded with Dunkin Donuts donut mix, and mix was all over the roadway.

State police cited Ranspot for failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash.