COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - Three people have died after a six-vehicle crash in Coles County, Illinois State Police said. A semi driver who passed away has now been identified.
Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers identified the semi driver in Thursday’s fatal crash as Andrzed Poprawa of Palm Coast, Florida.Â
The two other victims who were in another vehicle have not yet been identified. An autopsy is currently underway.
At 3:37 p.m. Thursday, authorities said an unidentified vehicle approached five others that were stopped along I-57 northbound (mile post 183) due to backed up traffic. Its driver failed to slow down and hit a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, then struck a 2016 Volvo truck-tractor semi-trailer, causing the Volvo's trailer to enter the left lane and hit a 2019 Freightliner truck-tractor semi-trailer that was stopped.
The vehicle then hit the back of 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, causing it to be pushed into the back of a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer.Â
Troopers said the driver of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has died. No information was available about this person in an early Friday press release. After 10 a.m. Friday, the Coles County Coroner's Office confirmed two other people died, but no identifying information is available at this time.Â
The interstate in the area of the crash is temporarily open Friday morning. Troopers said they will close I-57 at mile post 188 "at some point this morning" in order to remove debris from the median.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Friday.
