Firetruck crash creates traffic tie-up

Traffic on Interstate 55 north of Springfield was backed up for hours Monday after a firetruck from southern Illinois blew a tire, careened through the median and a concrete barrier and overturned in the southbound lanes.

The ladder truck from the Harrisburg Fire Department was heading north on the interstate about 12:15 p.m. when the accident occurred just south of the Sangamon Avenue exit. The firetruck ended up on its side, but luckily, no other vehicles were involved and one was injured, Illinois State Police said.

“The firetruck was out of service. It wasn't going on a call or anything,” said Emanuelwel Edwards, safety/education officer for the ISP in Springfield.

After the accident, both southbound lanes of the interstate were closed and traffic was diverted off the Sangamon Avenue exit, which led to traffic backups on the interstate, Sangamon Avenue and roads leading to and from both.

“We're backed up 2 1/2 to 3 miles,” Edwards said about 2 p.m.

Northbound traffic on the interstate continued as crews righted the firetruck.

All southbound lanes of I-55 were reopened by 4:05 p.m.

Harrisburg Fire Chief Bill Summers told WSIL-TV that the truck was on its way to Washington, Illinois, for ladder repairs.

Contact John Reynolds: john.reynolds@sj-r.com, 788-1524, twitter.com/JohnReynoldsSJR.