Fatal Semi Accident on I-70

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Published on July 13 2019 5:02 am
Last Updated on July 13 2019 7:33 am
Written by Matt Robinson

Preliminary details have been released by the Illinois State Police regarding a fatal accident that occured at 6:24 Friday evening on I-70 in Cumberland county.

A semi operated by Filimon Ghebremehari, 34 of Seattle Washington, was westbound on I-70 near milepost 127, in the right lane at a slow speed, due to a reported vehicle malfunction.  Another semi driven by Melissa Coleman, 41 of Doniphan Missouri, was also westbound on I-70 at the same location, also in the right lane. Coleman attempted to take evasive action to avoid the crash but was unable to do so and struck the towed trailer of Ghebremehari's with its driver’s side.  

Coleman was ejected during the collision and was airlifted to Carle Hospital in Urbana and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Ghebremehari was charged with Violating the Minimum Speed Limit.