One of the two southbound lanes on Interstate 57 has been reopened and traffic is no longer being diverted off the interstate through Salem following a crash involving two semi-trucks late Monday morning..
Salem Fire Protection District Fire Marshall Bill Fulton says a partially loaded tanker truck carrying crude oil was traveling northbound when it went out of control possibly from a tire problem, crossed the median, and glanced off the rear side of a FedEx semi. The tanker truck then continued across the southbound lanes and hit a guardrail on the west side of the interstate before coming to a stop.
Salem Firemen had to pop open the door of the cab of the tanker truck to get the driver out. He was then airlifted from the scene by Air Evac which landed nearby on the interstate. The tanker did not spill any of its load.
The FedEx driver refused medical treatment. The impact of the crash caused the trailer to split open and spill some of its load on the highway.
The crash occurred at 11:27 Monday morning. Cleanup is continuing.
State Police are handling the crash, but have not yet released any information.
