CRASH WEDNESDAY MORNING SENDS TRUCK DRIVER TO FAIRFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Illinois State Police Troop 9 along with Fairfield Rural Fire Department and Wayne County Ambulance personnel were called to a report of a two-vehicle accident Wednesday morning around 11:30 in the area of 1464 South First St and south of Wayne St.  Illinois State Police say a Freightliner straight truck and a Peterbilt truck-tractor semi-trailer were both northbound on South 1st St.    The Freightliner was driving in front of the Peterbilt truck-tractor when the Freightliner began slowing down to make a left turn.  Prior to making a left turn, the Freightliner turned out to the right and then turned back left, driving in front of the Peterbilt semi.  The semi was anticipating the Freightliner straight truck to make a right turn and to avoid striking the Freightliner,  the Peterbilt truck-tractor was forced to drive off the roadway to the left and this is when the truck-tractor semi struck a power pole knocking down the pole and power lines and then striking a stationary junked vehicle.  The driver of the semi was transported by Wayne County Ambulance to Fairfield Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.  Two heavy-duty tow trucks from Tri-Power Towing of Effingham were called by State Police.  The scene was cleared just a little before 4 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.