Illinois State Police have released new information on a multiple vehicle crash that claimed the life of a truck driver on Wednesday.
The crash occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on July 29 on I-80 westbound, east of I-355, in Will County, Illinois.
Multiple semi, vehicles crash closes I-80 WB, part of I-355 NB https://t.co/cjO0Retq1R pic.twitter.com/N6OkNnQfMN
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) July 29, 2020
Trooper say that 28 year old New York-based truck driver Sukhwinder Singh was westbound on I-80 when “for unknown reasons, [he] failed to slow down and stop for traffic ahead.”
Singh’s truck rear-ended a second semi truck driven by 29 year old Illinois resident Harold C. Babbitt.
Babbitt’s truck veered left into the left lane then veered back right and struck the trailer of a third semi truck driven by 57 year old Indiana-based truck driver Clifton L. Knight.
Singh’s truck continued forward and also rear-ended Knight’s truck.
The impact from the rear-end crash caused Knight’s truck to lurch forward and strike a Chevrolet Cavalier, which in turn rear-ended a Ford Edge.
New Lenox: WB I 80 shut down @I_355_Tollway Crash. 3 semis. Fire coming out of the cab on one truck. Horrible crash, lots of debris. Delays start w of Harlem #NBCSky5 live @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/ZzY6jLBsLh
— Mike Lorber (@NBCSky5) July 29, 2020
Singh’s truck became completely engulfed in flames. He was entrapped inside the vehicle. Troopers say that he sustained serious injuries and died at the scene.
All four of the other drivers involved in the crash were transported to the hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.
The incident shut down all lanes of westbound I-80 for hours. All lanes finally reopened around 1:20 a.m. on Thursday.
