Person Fatally Injured in Crash Just South of Effingham

A central Illinois resident was fatally injured in a crash just south of Effingham Wednesday afternoon.

The crash happened about 3pm on I-57, about a mile south of Effingham in the area known as the "Tunnels". A semi that had been headed northbound overturned in the median. Illinois State Police responded to the crash scene and 62-year-old Thomas Brown of Secor, Illinois dead inside the cab of the semi. The coroner's office representative pronounced Brown dead at the scene. Authorities have found nothing that would indicate why the crash occurred.

The Coroner's Office transported Brown's body to the morgue at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Toxicology samples were drawn and the Coroner's Office is seeking medical records and also spoke with family members about any medical issues Brown could have been experiencing.

Illinois State Police, Rural Med EMS, Effingham Fire Department, and Heartland Towing also assisted at the scene. The Coroner's Office and State Police are continuing their investigation.