One truck driver was killed and a second seriously injured in a fiery head-on crash involving two semis on I 57 northbound just north of the Ina exit late Saturday night.
Initial information from the Jefferson Fire Protection District indicates one of the semis was traveling southbound when it drove across the median and hit the northbound semi head-on.
Both of the semis caught fire with both the cabs and tractors destroyed.
I-57 northbound was still reported closed as of 7:30 Sunday morning for clean-up.
One of the drivers was pronounced dead on the scene by Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse. The other was taken to a Mt. Vernon hospital and then airlifted to a regional hospital by Air Evac medical helicopter. He received major injuries, including burns.
Jefferson Fire reports there were no hazardous materials involved, with one of the trucks hauling meat and the other auto parts.
State Police are handling the crash and have not released any information at the present time, including the names of the two truck drivers involved.
Jefferson Fire called Mt. Vernon, Benton, and Woodlawn firemen to the scene to battle the fire and assist the victims. Wayne City, Kell, and Bluford Firemen stood by at the Jefferson Fire Station in the event of another call.
The crash was first reported at 11:34 Saturday night.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
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