A pre-dawn semi crash on Route J in Audrain County left a Chicago truck driver dead Wednesday, after state troopers say his trailer’s cargo shifted and slammed into the cab while the rig sat in a roadside ditch.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol told ABC 17 News the wreck was reported at 6:20 a.m. at Route J and Audrain County Road 481. Investigators say a westbound 2011 International LF627 ran off the side of the road and into a ditch. When the truck came to a stop, the load in the trailer shifted and crashed into the cab, fatally injuring the driver at the scene.
Troopers have identified the victim only as a 48-year-old man from Chicago. No other vehicles were involved, and no other injuries were reported at the scene.
Route J Shut Down While Crews Work the Wreck
MoDOT’s Traveler Map showed Route J closed in both directions between the Routes 19/54/J roundabouts and Route B starting around 8 a.m., with no listed time for reopening. Local traffic was diverted onto nearby county roads while tow operators and cleanup crews worked into the afternoon to clear wreckage and recover the truck’s cargo…