Semi Catches on Fire After Striking Another Rig

A semi struck another rig parked on the shoulder of the roadway Wednesday afternoon and one rig caught on fire.

The crash occurred at 1:05pm on I-70 eastbound, three miles east of Mulberry Grove.  State police say a semi driven by 59-year-old Charles Lawson of Gary, Indiana was parked on the right shoulder when a following rig driven by 55-year-old John R. Jones of Canton, Texas swerved off onto the shoulder and rear-ended Lawson's unit.  Jones' rig ran off into the ditch and then back onto the shoulder where it caught fire.

Both Lawson and Jones were taken to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia for treatment of injuries.

Jones was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash and for improper lane usage.  Lawson was cited for improper parking.

District 12 Illinois State Police Interim Commander Lieutenant Cory Ristvedt said, "the common courtesy of moving over for all stopped or disabled vehicles should be practiced by motorists, in order to prevent crashes with stationary vehicles."