Location is the site of two semi accidents in five minutes
SCHUYLER CO., ILL. -- A Rushville woman is dead after a semi versus car accident in Schuyler county Tuesday.
Illinois state police officials say the accident happened just before 11 p.m. on US 67 near the IL 101 Junction, also known as the Littleton Junction.
Authorities say strong cross winds caused 32-year-old Timothy M. Michael, the driver of a Freightliner semi, to lose control on the snow and ice covered road.
He crossed the center line and struck a car head-on driven by 43-year-old Suzanne M. Bartlett of Rushville. She died at the crash site.
Michael was taken to Culbertson Hospital in Rushville for treatment. He was issued a citation for driving too fast for conditions and violation of the 14 hour rule. This limit allows 14 consecutive hours of duty time after being off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours.
Minutes later at 11:01 p.m., police say another semi truck driven by 48-year-old James G. Wilder of Hazelwood, Mo. crashed in the same location. Authorities say strong cross winds also caused him to lose control on the snow and ice covered roadway. Wilder over corrected, causing the truck trailer and both semi-trailer to overturn on the driver's side, blocking the entire roadway. Wilder was transported to McDonough District Hospital in Macomb for treatment of minor injuries.