TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. – A tragic crash on U.S. Highway 40 in Teutopolis, Illinois, resulted in the deaths of five people and serious injuries to five others. The accident, which involved multiple vehicles, led to the release of toxic substances, prompting the evacuation of over 500 residents. Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum confirmed the incident involving a truck carrying toxic substances.
Effingham County Coroner Kim Whodes identified the five individuals who lost their lives in the crash. The victims included Kenneth Bryan, 34, of Teutopolis, Illinois, Rosie Bryan, 7, and Walker Bryan, 10, both from Beecher City, Illinois, Vasile Cricovan, 31, of Twinsburg, Ohio, and Danny J. Smith, 67, of New Haven, Missouri. The preliminary investigation determined that all the victims died from exposure to anhydrous ammonia at the crash site.
In addition to the fatalities, five individuals were airlifted to area hospitals due to exposure at the crash site. These individuals included Jacob Bloemker, 24, of Brownstown, Illinois, John Costello, 19, of Olathe, Kansas, Anja Dangelmaier, 18, of Dallas, Texas, Sara Tague, 18, of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and Terrie Tudor, 61, of Union, Missouri.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is reviewing the crash, which also prompted the evacuation of area residents within an approximate one-mile radius of the crash. Route 40, where the crash occurred, has since been reopened. Local, state, and federal agencies have been involved in the emergency response to the crash, working to contain the leak and ensure the safety of the community.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, it has raised concerns about the potential for similar accidents in the future. Efforts are being made to address the contamination resulting from the incident and to implement measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. The community is mourning the lives lost and coming together to support the affected families as the recovery process continues.