Semi and Driver Struck by Another Semi

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Published on December 7 2017 2:51 pm
Last Updated on December 7 2017 2:51 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A semi and its driver were struck by another rig early Thursday morning east of Effingham.

State police say 49-year-old Shawn Montgomery of St. Peters, Missouri was outside his semi while it was parked on the right shoulder of I-70 about six miles west of Greenup at 12:25am.

An approaching semi driven by 28-year-old Yosniel Varela-Mojena of Millville, New Jersey struck Montgomery's rig and Montgomery. The impact detached Varela-Mojena's tractor from its trailer. The trailer came to rest in the center median.

Varela-Mojena told police he saw Montgomery's semi and looked down. When he looked up, Montgomery said he was unable to avoid striking the other rig.

Montgomery's parked semi moved slightly when struck, but remained on the shoulder of the roadway.

Montgomery was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Varela-Mojena was cited for improper lane usage.