Truck Driver Dies in I-55 Semi Crash Near Braceville

A truck driver died Monday evening from injuries sustained in a crash involving two semis, according to a release from the Grundy County Coroner’s Office.

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David Lee Conway, 37, of Warrenton, Missouri, was traveling southbound on I-55 near Braceville when the crash occurred. According to the Illinois State Police, a 2009 Peterbilt truck tractor with intermodal-trailer was stopped on the right shoulder of I-55 southbound around one mile south of Braceville Road and attempted to merge back into traffic. At the same time, a 2014 Peterbilt truck tractor with semi-trailer driven by Conway was traveling in the right lane and struck the rear of the merging semi causing both vehicles to lose control and catch fire.

According to the coroner’s office, the 2009 semi overturned and remained in the southbound lanes. Conway’s semi came apart and Conway was ejected while still in his seat with his seatbelt on. The remaining part of Conway’s semitrailer went into the west ditch. Conway was found in his seat among the wreckage and was pronounced dead by Grundy County Coroner John Callahan at 8:55 p.m.

The driver of the merging semi, Gregory Horne, 59, of Morton, Illinois was taken to a local hospital and cited for failure to yield to merging traffic.

Conway was a driver for 5 Star Logistics.

An autopsy is scheduled to take place Tuesday. The Illinois State Police reconstruction division along with the coroner’s office continue to investigate.