Staff Writer
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
An Illinois man sustained minor injuries when his semi collided with a rental truck on Interstate 70 near the 11-mile marker in Vigo County.
Indiana State Police report that Michael L. Henderson, 57, of Alton, Ill., complained of pain and was taken to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment following the 10 a.m. incident in the eastbound lanes.
The driver of the Budget rental truck, Russell J. Henry, 58, of Liverpool, Ohio, was not injured.
Traffic on I-70 was slowed for nearly 2 1⁄2 hours for crash debris cleanup and towing.
Police report that Henry was driving a 2005 GMC Budget rental truck pulling a car hauler trailer loaded with a 2001 Jeep Liberty when he entered eastbound I-70 from Indiana 46. As he was nearing maximum road speed, a 2009 Freightliner semi driven by Henderson drove up on the rear of the rental trailer. The Freightliner was pulling a tanker trailer loaded with motor oil, en route to Indianapolis.
The collision caused the Freightliner and the rental trailer to enter the median. The Jeep, which was not occupied, broke free of the rental trailer and rolled multiple times. The rental trailer remained lodged under the semi, and the vehicles came to rest partially in the median and in the passing lane of westbound I-70. The rental truck veered into the eastbound emergency lane and stopped there.
A commercial vehicle inspection by ISP Sgt. Chris Wright revealed no deficiencies with Henderson or the semi truck combination. However, Henderson was cited for following too closely.
Assisting the ISP at the scene were the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, Vigo County Emergency Management, Riley Fire/Rescue and Trans-Care Ambulance Service.
