Police say truck driver failed to slow in crash that killed three

Illinois State Police have issued preliminary charges against a truck driver for his role in a fatal crash that happened on I-70 on Saturday.

The crash occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, near Effingham, Illinois.

UPDATE from ISP regarding the serious crash on I-70 between Effingham and Altamont: The vehicles involved in the crash are being removed at this time. IDOT and Howell construction are on scene repairing the concrete lane divider wall before the Interstate can be re-opened. pic.twitter.com/TuXPn2EbDm

— KJ Country 102.3 (@KJCountry1023) July 20, 2019

Authorities say that traffic was slowed for construction on eastbound I-70 at mile marker 90 when 59 year old Michigan-based semi truck driver Asllan Pino crashed into an SUV. The impact of the crash sent the SUV crashing into a trailer of another semi truck and caused a third semi truck to crash into a concrete barrier. Police say a fourth semi truck was also involved in the crash but that it wasn’t damaged, so the driver left the scene.

Three people in the SUV — 59 year old Virginia Abrams, 63 year old Matthew Murphy and 61 year old Marleen Murphy — died in the crash.

Three others were injured during the crash and later taken to the hospital.

The incident resulted in a six hour closure of a ten mile portion of I-70 on Saturday, according to the Terre Haute Tribune Star.

On Sunday, authorities announced preliminary charges of failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash for Pino.

The crash remains under investigation.