3 people suffered injuries yesterday afternoon following a chain reaction crash on I-39 which involved 2 semi-trucks and 3 cars.
The accident took place a short time before 3:15 in the rain about 4 miles north of Rochelle in the southbound lane of I-39 in the construction zone area.
1 truck driver was trapped in his cab. Fire department personnel got him out of the area as he was later transported by a helicopter to Rockford Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He had a cut to his head along with pain in his neck and shoulder.
The 2 other injuries were also non-life threatening as the man and woman were treated at Rochelle Community Hospital.
Rochelle Fire Chief Brian Johnson said that none of the injured were local residents.
Traffic was backed up for a period of time in the southbound lane of I-39 while emergency personnel were on the scene.
Another semi-truck also crashed just north of the 1st accident on I-39. There was diesel fuel that spilled from the truck. The driver did not need any medical treatment.