Two people including Randy Reynolds, 54, of Herrin were fatally injured in a fiery crash that occurred at 2:01 p.m. Thursday afternoon near Mile Marker 66 on Interstate 57.
According to Trooper David Sneed, with the Illinois State Police, an SUV, along with two pickup trucks and a flat bed semi hauling truck chassis were stopped in traffic in the northbound lane of the interstate when a fifth tractor-trailer — a dump trailer hauling car batteries — failed to stop, causing the initial crash.
According to Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler, the fourth vehicle being driven by Carl James Jones Jr. 51, of Florissant, Mo. was hauling car batteries. Another tractor-trailer truck being driven by Randy Reynolds, 54, of Herrin also failed to stop, striking the rig being driven by Jones before bursting into flames.
"The families have been notified," Leffler said. "Everyone needs to pray for the families.
He said Renee's Trucking of Marion employed Reynolds. Waller Trucking Co. of Kansas City employed Jones.
The driver of the SUV, Sharon Livermore, 64, of Ames, Iowa was wearing her seat belt and did not sustain injuries. The SUV sustained minor damage.
The driver of the first pickup involved in the pileup was identified as Ryan Seggebruch, 42, of Homer Glenn. He was wearing his seat belt and did not sustain injuries, nor did his passengers Nicholas Siebert, 31, of Watseka, and Evan Edwards, 32, of Paxton.
Nathan Peters, 31 of Herscher, was driving the second pickup truck and received minor injuries. His passengers Curtis Arnette, 30, had minor injuries and Michael Herdman, 29, of Donovan was not injured.
The driver of the flat bed semi, identified as Benjamin Howell, 65, of Stuarts Draft, Va. was not injured.
The driver of the last vehicle involved in the crash, Damon Scott Stahlhut, 39, of Marion was also uninjured.
Leffler said a coroner's inquest was slated for noon on Friday in Carmi. He said charges are pending.
