Update on Crash, Anhydrous Release East of Teutopolis (7:30am SUNDAY UPDATE)

The Viillage of Teutopolis was reopened Saturday night after almost 24 hours due to a release of anhydrous ammonia and an evacuation of the northeast part of Teutopolis. Those living east of Pearl Street and north of the CSX tracks were allowed to return home as of 7:30pm, about a half-hour after those living west of Pearl were allowed to return home.

Those returning home are asked to open their windows and air out their homes. If you encounter a strong odor in your home, please phone 911 so officials can investigate.

A crash in the I-70 consruction zone east of Effingham around 5:00 Friday afternoon caused the routing of traffic onto Route 40, an all-too-frequent occurrence since the construction work began. 

Sometime before 9pm Friday, a crash occurred on Route 40 near 1900th Street, a short distance east of Teutopolis. The tanker truck carrying the anhydrous ran off the roadway, reportedly to avoid another vehicle, and was damaged, allowing the release of the anhydrous into the air.

Estimates are that approximately 500 individuals were evacuated from the area due to the leak.

Route 40 reopened late Saturday night between Teutopolis and Montrose after vehicles that were near the crash scene were removed. The entire stretch of Route 40 between Effingham and Montrose is once again open to through traffic.

The crash involved at least one other vehicle. Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes said there are five confirmed fatalities resulting from the crash. Rhodes has notified the next of kin of those from the area who were killed in the crash. Those fatally injured involve three local residents and two from outside the area.

In addition to those killed, five other people were injured. Four of those were flown from the scene for treatment. The other individual was taken by ground ambulance to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, then flown from there for further treatment.

Coroner Rhodes said that autopsies to confirm the official manner of death of the five killed are set for Monday.

Authorities say that no one died as a direct result of the crash, but that the fatalities were due to the anhydrous release.

The truck was carrying approximately 7,500 gallons of anhydrous at the time of the crash. The Illinois EPA said Saturday afternoon that early estimates are that approximately 4,000 gallons had been released. 

Teutopolis Fire Protection District Chief Tim McMahon said a Gary, Indiana-based company brought a pump to the scene to facilitate the offloading process. Crews then patched the hole in the damaged tanker and a wrecker was being used to upright the tanker. The damaged tanker was then towed to the Montrose Equity where it was filled with water to push any remaining anhydrous out of the tanker. 

Once that process was completed, the tanker was taken to the company's headquarters in Brownstown.

(THIS WAS THE SCENE IN THE CAFETERIA AT TEUTOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL SATURDAY ABOUT NOON. MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND LOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE CONTRIBUTED FOOD TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDERS HELPING WITH THE CRASH AND THE EVACUATION)

Oktoberfest in Teutopolis Saturday night was canceled. Members of the Teutopolis Civic Club adjusted their efforts, and the food that was to be available for the Oktoberfest event was made available from the Civic Club at Pals Electric's location along Route 33.

The Effingham Fire Department has decided to cancel their annual Open House today due to the Teutopolis incident. Also, the Teutopolis Monastery Museum has decided not to open today.

St. Rep. Adam Niemerg said at the scene Saturday morning that he is beyond frustrated with what he sees as a "lack of accountability" by state IDOT officials regarding the series of crashes in the construction zone. Niemerg said he has been trying for months to get the situation addressed, with little to no cooperation.

A release from the three area state senators...Steve McClure, Jason Plummer and Chapin Rose...shared that their offices are ready to offer any assistance to those affected by the situation.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.