Hiram Grau - Director
Date: 01/23/2012
Time: 8:50 p.m.
Location: I-255 southbound @ Mile post 8 (Dupo)
County: St. Clair
Crash Number: 11-12-00222
Unit 1
Vehicle Description: 2007 Gray Pontiac Grand Prix
Driver Name: Troy W. DeRossett
Gender: Male
Age: 21
City/State of Residence : East Carondelet, IL
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Incapacitating
Taken To: St. Anthony's Hosp. (Dupo Ambulance)
Charges: Citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid an
accident
Passenger 1
Unit #: 1
Name: Shana R. Harr
Gender: Female
Age: 21
City/State of Residence: Columbia, IL
Seatbelt use: No (partially ejected)
Injuries: Incapacitating
Taken To: St. Louis University Hospital
Passenger 2
Unit #: 1
Name: Cory W. Sturdevant
Gender: Male
Age: 27
City/State of Residence: Cahokia, IL
Seatbelt use: No
Injuries: Incapacitating
Taken To: St. Anthony's
Unit 2
Vehicle Description: 2008 Green MAC Truck (Truck Tractor/Semi
Trailer)
Driver Name: Clifford B. Hanson
Gender: Male
Age: 43
City/State of Residence : Belleville, IL
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: None
Narrative:
Unit 1 was traveling South on I255 approaching milepost 7.8. Unit 2 was
stopped on the right shoulder of I255 Southbound ahead of Unit 1.
The driver of Unit 2 stated he used the shoulder to gain speed before
merging into the right lane of I255 Southbound at milepost 7.8. The driver
of Unit 2 stated he was traveling at 45 miles per hour when his trailer was
struck by the front bumper of Unit 1.
The front of Unit 1 was smashed under the rear of the trailer of Unit 2.
As Unit 2 pulled back onto the right shoulder, Unit 1 was dragged onto the
shoulder as well.
The driver of Unit 1 stated he couldn't remember if he was traveling in the
center lane or the right lane. The driver of Unit 1 stated he looked down
at the radio. The driver of Unit 1 stated the next thing he remembered was
the crash. The driver of Unit 1 stated he did not see Unit 2 at any time.
A witness to the crash stated he was traveling in the center lane on I255
Southbound as the crash occurred. The witness stated Unit 1 passed him in
the right lane as they were traveling down the highway. The witness
further stated that Unit 2 used the right shoulder to gain speed before
merging onto I255 Southbound at milepost 7.8. The witness stated Unit 2
merged onto the right lane and was in the right lane for approximately 7
seconds before his trailer was struck by the front bumper of Unit 1.
* The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent
until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a
reasonable doubt.
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