Trucker Rescues Driver Who Crashed Into His Rig In Blue Island
BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (CBS) -- A truck driver sprang into action overnight to save the man who had just crashed head-on into his semi.
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports, according to sources, the driver of the SUV might have fallen asleep at the wheel, and veered into the southbound lanes while headed north on Ashland Avenue.
He slammed into a semi-tractor trailer truck driven by Riverdale trucker Ralph Peterson.
"The vehicle came over the bridge, and as it was crossing the bridge, he was coming at a high speed, and I seen him cross over in the lane, and I tried to avoid him," Peterson said. "He hit me head-on, and hit my fuel tanks, and my whole vehicle front-end just collapsed to the ground."
Peterson said when he got out of his truck, he saw diesel fuel had spilled all over the road, then he ran over to check on the other driver, and pull him out of the SUV, fearing it might burst into flames.
The SUV's front end was crumpled like an accordion, and the truck had one of its wheels nearly sheared off, after they collided around 1 a.m. at Ashland Avenue and Vermont Street.
The SUV's airbag deployed, clearly saving the driver from more serious injury.
The 33-year-old driver was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in stable condition.
