Driver Killed East of Altamont Identified as Mississippi Man (UPDATE)

The driver in a fatal crash involving a semi along Interstate 70 Thursday has been identified as a Mississippi man.

The crash happened about 4:30am when the trucker ran off the eastbound lanes, one mile east of Altamont.

Altamont Fire Protection District, Illinois State Police, Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes and Rural Med EMS were all on scene following the crash, but cleared the scene by noon. The cleanup continued, though, of diesel fuel spilled in the crash. There was nothing hazardous in the load being hauled by the semi. The load was of dog food.

The driver of the rig was identified as 58-year-old Billy Rex McGregor of Byhalia, Mississippi. Rhodes pronounced McGregor dead at the scene.

One bit of good news; the driver's dog emerged from the wreck unharmed.