Pickup Truck Slams Into Apartment Building

A pickup truck slammed into an apartment building along St. Anthony Avenue in Effingham Thursday morning.

The incident occurred shortly after 8am at 515 St. Anthony, just east of the intersection with Maple Street during heavy rainfall.

A neighbor said the truck passed a vehicle heading east on St. Anthony near the intersection, then bounced off the curb and came across the intersection. The truck then went between a power pole and a guy wire past the duplex on the corner and into the northwest corner of the four-unit apartment building. The truck ended up halfway inside the building.

The elderly occupant of the damaged apartment was in the shower when the incident occurred and was not injured. Neighbors said her name is Terry but didn't know her last name. Effingham Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza said City Engineer Luke Thoele was on scene to determine whether the structure needed to be evacuated. Both apartments on the north side of the building were evacuated. The building owner was making arrangements for a place for the tenants to stay until repairs are completed.

The driver of the pickup truck and a passenger were both taken across the street to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for treatment. 

Effingham city police and firefighters and Abbott EMS all assisted at the scene. AmerenIllinois also assisted since the crash knocked out power to the apartment unit.