3 Killed In Explosive Head-On Crash On I-39 Near Hudson

HUDSON, IL — Authorities are investigating what led to an explosive head-on collision between two semis that killed three people Wednesday morning on I-39 near mile marker 4. The Pantagraph said witnesses described the scene as "awful," like "something out of a war," from what seemed like a trailer traveling northbound crossed the median and hit another semi before both were engulfed in flames. The interstate was closed Wednesday morning through late afternoon and drivers were rerouted through Hudson as crews from the Hudson Fire Department, ISP, and other departments cleared the scene, and an Illinois State Police reconstruction team investigated, the Pantagraph reported.

According to the news report, Bloomington resident Ryan Lanham said he and his girlfriend were headed northbound on I-39 just before 6 a.m., when he pulled over to help, and shot video on his cellphone (below) about 15-feet away from the scene.

McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis confirmed the three victims were pronounced dead at the crash scene, however autopsies are being conducted Thursday as the process of identifying the victims continues.

Image via Renee Schiavone