JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. (WJPF) – A fiery crash claimed the life of one person in Jackson County.
It happened at about 10:30 a.m. Monday near the intersection of US 51 and the Truax Blacktop. A black Mazda traveling south on 51 crossed the center line, collided with a tractor trailer and burst into flames. Police say the driver was not able to escape the car and died at the scene. Authorities are withholding their name pending notification of family.
The driver of the tractor trailer, 37-year-old Sam Baumgarte of Grand Tower, tried to avoid a collision. After veering to the right, the truck overturned in a ditch. Baumgarte was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Traffic on Highway 51 was closed for about 5 hours Monday near the scene of the wreck.
