At around 5:30 Monday morning, the driver of an SUV crossed over the center-line of traffic on Rt. 173 near ACHS, and collided with a large, gravel truck, causing a fire to erupt just blocks from Downtown Antioch. 

“There were several explosions and diesel fuel was leaking onto the roadway,” Antioch Policeman Geoff Guttschow said in an interview with The Chicago Tribune.

Firetrucks, ambulances and police acted quickly while the gasoline and subsequent fire began to seep into a nearby storm drain. Fortunately, there were no deaths involved in the unexpected incident. The driver of the truck was taken to Condell Medical Center with minor injuries while the SUV driver was unaffected.

Although the fire was extinguished by the time rush-hour workers began to roll onto the street, police required a road close-off for multiple hours that morning to ensure proper recovery from the accident.

“I had to take Depot St. instead of my normal route,” junior Julia Murillo said. “The traffic was terrible and I was nearly late for school because of it.”

The Antioch Police reported the accident as a result of the driver of the SUV, who was using a cellphone and distractedly ran into the semi truck.

“It is important that we have laws against cell phone use while driving,” senior Michael Palmer said. “They prevent many more accidents like these from happening.”

The negative outcomes that result from accidents such as this serve as reminders for all drivers to remain focused on the road and to take precautions in all situations.