High winds may have contributed to a single-vehicle crash on Route 154 west of Pinckneyville in Perry County, IL. The National Weather Service had issued a wind advisory for all of southern Illinois through Wednesday evening with a few reports of wind topping 40mph to near 50mph in some places. The wind advisory extended well north to near the Quad Cities, bringing concern of elevated fire danger due to the exceedingly dry conditions the region has experienced with many areas in southern IL yet to see the first snow.
The driver was airlifted to St. Louis with serious injuries, but was responsive at the time emergency crews arrived and is expected to survive. The semi was hauling lime, which spilled all over the roadway and adjacent field. Crews had the highway shut down for nearly an hour as they cleaned up the scene.