State Police have released a preliminary investigation on a pickup truck – semi crash that killed three Mexican Nationals on Saturday morning on US 50 just east of Salem.
Police report for unknown reasons the eastbound pickup traveled into the westbound lane and struck the front of the westbound semi just west of Radio Tower Road.
The 28-year-old driver from St. Louis along with two 25-year-old passengers, also from St. Louis, were pronounced deceased by the Marion County Coroner. The other passenger in the pickup, a 28-year-old male from St. Louis, was flown from the scene to a regional hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the semi is identified as 25-year-old Thomas Guinn of Burkburnett, Texas. State Police say he reported no injuries on the scene.
Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon says the four in the pickup were en route to a job site near Xenia where they had been working as laborers. He will be working with the Mexican Consulate Monday for assistance in getting the victim’s families notified in Mexico.
Salem Fire Protection District Fire Marshall Bill Fulton says two of those in the pickup truck had to be extricated while the other two were ejected from the vehicle. He reports the semi-truck driver was out of his rig walking around upon their arrival.
Salem Police, Salem Fire Protection District, Illinois State Police, ISP Crash Reconstruction Team, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Salem DOEM, and Marion County ESDA all assisted at the scene.
The crash was reported at 7:10 Saturday morning. US 50 from Edgewood Road to County Farm Road was closed from the time of the crash until 12:15 Saturday afternoon.
