Multi-vehicle crash leaves several dead, causes ammonia leak

Federal regulators confirmed that they are reviewing a semitruck crash that left several people dead and caused a toxic substance spill, prompting residents in the area to evacuate.

Firefighters, police and other emergency responders responded to the Teutopolis, Ill. crash on Friday that left an overturned tanker emanating a cloud of anhydrous ammonia, the Associated Press reported.

“We have a lot of brave firemen, EMT, hazmat specialists, police officers that are working on this scene as we speak,” Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said at a press conference on Saturday.

Kuhns did not confirm the exact number of fatalities but said there are multiple. Illinois State Police spokesperson Melany Arnold said they originally thought there were five fatalities but later deemed it a premature evaluation.

Kuhns said the accident caused “terribly dangerous air conditions in the northwest area of Teutopolis.” The large plume of ammonia meant responders had to wait and mitigate the air conditions before they could assess the scene.

Kuhns said he couldn’t confirm whether the deaths were a result of the crash or the chemical leak but said the accident scene was large.  

The wind shifted multiple times overnight, also slowing the process, said Tim McMahon, Teutopolis Fire Protection District chief.  

Residents in a one-mile radius of the accident site were evacuated due to air quality, McMahon said. According to McMahon, the tanker leaked after rolling in a ditch.

The crash involved multiple vehicles and happened east of Teutopolis on Friday night at 9:25, state police said in an emailed statement.

According to the American Chemical Society (ACS), anhydrous ammonia is used in farming and is transported often.

“Anhydrous ammonia can cause headline-grabbing disasters, but it’s also responsible for 50% of the food on your table,” ACS said online.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.