State police say they have cited a semi-truck driver after an Antioch Automotive tow truck driver was hit and injured by the semi but “miraculously survived” on Interstate 94 in Wadsworth.
The Illinois State Police, Newport Fire Protection District, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Fire and Rescue Department and Bristol, Wisconsin Fire and Rescue Department responded around 6:02 a.m. last Sunday to Interstate 94 near Russell Road in Wadsworth for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Emergency crews arrived and found a crash involving a semi-tractor-trailer truck, a pedestrian and a white Chevrolet van.
The incident occurred in the eastbound, also known as southbound, lanes of Interstate 94 near the 0.5-mile post, according to the Illinois State Police.
A semi-truck, driven by 39-year-old Ashburn, Virginia, man, was traveling eastbound in the right lane, lost control and struck a tow truck driver, a 55-year-old Old Mill Creek man.
State police said the semi-truck then struck the occupied disabled vehicle that was being assisted by the tow truck on the left shoulder.
Antioch Automotive said the “horrific incident” involved one of their drivers, Justin, who is a 10-year veteran with the Antioch-based company.
Justin was struck by the semi-truck while he was attempting to remove a vehicle that was off the interstate during the snowstorm. A winter weather advisory was in effect at the time and parts of Lake County saw seven inches of snowfall.
The semi-truck driver reported losing control on the slick roads and crossing several lanes of traffic.
Justin was outside of the tow truck when he was hit by the semi-truck, which then struck the Chevrolet.
He “miraculously survived” and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Antioch Automotive said. He was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
The disabled vehicle was driven by a 41-year-old Burbank man and had a 39-year-old Burbank woman in the passenger. Both were also transported to the hospital by ambulance for injuries.
“We in this industry know, that these stories usually don’t have a happy ending. This was nothing short of a miracle that Justin survived,” Antioch Automotive said in a statement.
“All of us are extremely grateful to so many people who responded with the utmost professionalism and dedication. The Illinois Tollway Authority communications people and highway personnel, the Illinois State Troopers the Newport Fire Department all of these highly trained professionals not only cared for Justin but followed up after the incident to see how he was doing,” the company added.
All but one lane was shut down for the traffic crash investigation at 6:38 a.m. and all lanes were reopened by 9:10 a.m.
In an update, state police said the driver of the semi-truck was issued a citation for driving too fast for conditions.
Antioch Automotive said tow operators are on the road every day working in dangerous conditions to help motorists who are in need. “Please slow down and move over when you see them working.”
This was the second incident in six months for the company. The first one was the result of a truck driver who fell asleep and sideswiped their town truck.
The new truck was totaled but the tow truck driver jumped in the cab before the impact and escaped with minor injuries.
“A special thank you to all our tow brothers from other companies who called with well wishes for Justin. From our family to yours please be safe and drive carefully this holiday season,” Antioch Automotive said.