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MATTOON, Ill. – A deer collision on Wednesday caused a fiery crash on I-57, engulfing a truck and leading to a 12-hour traffic closure.
According to Illinois State Police, the northbound car struck a deer, forcing it to halt. Unable to brake in time, a semi-truck plowed into the stationary car, veered off-road, and smashed into a guardrail. The truck subsequently burst into flames, leaving it completely destroyed.
The car driver was hospitalized but expected to recover, while the truck driver and a passenger emerged unscathed. Crews battled the blaze and cleared wreckage before the highway reopened at 1:00 a.m.
