A fiery accident on Interstate 474 and Route 29 late Friday afternoon is now being blamed on tire failure. Illinois State Police say that is what caused 25 year old Daniel Schafer of Mountain Home, Idaho to lose control of his semi tractor trailer about 5pm while traveling on the I-474 overpass above Route 29.
The trailer detached from the rig and dropped off the overpass onto Route 29 and hit two cars. Fire then broke out on both the Interstate and Route 29. Five people suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities originally thought improper lane usage was the cause of the accident, but further investigation showed the front driver’s side tire of the semi blew out and pulled the semi onto the median side shoulder and into the overpass bridge.
Both the Interstate and Route 29 were closed for several hours, before being re-opened late Friday night. Police say no tickets are expected to be issued.
The trailer detached from the rig and dropped off the overpass onto Route 29 and hit two cars. Fire then broke out on both the Interstate and Route 29. Five people suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities originally thought improper lane usage was the cause of the accident, but further investigation showed the front driver’s side tire of the semi blew out and pulled the semi onto the median side shoulder and into the overpass bridge.
Both the Interstate and Route 29 were closed for several hours, before being re-opened late Friday night. Police say no tickets are expected to be issued.
