A two-semi crash on Interstate 57 in Franklin County Thursday morning sent two people to the hospital and shut down the northbound lanes for nearly seven hours.
Illinois State Police say 36-year old Michael James McGarvey of Morristown, Tennessee swerved to avoid a deer just before 4:00am, and lost control of his truck and trailer.
The trailer landed on its side, across the northbound lanes of the interstate. That’s when troopers say another semi, driven by 34-year old Martin Brouillette of Newfoundland, Canada slammed into the trailer.
Brouillette and his passenger, 27-year old Josie Anne Bellaire-Robert, had to be extricated from the semi. Brouillette was airlifted to a regional hospital, while Bellaire-Robert was taken to a local hospital.
The trailer was carrying auto parts, which scattered more than 100 yards along the highway, forcing its closure. State Police say McGarvey – who refused medical treatment – was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and improper lane usage.
