TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA) — It has been two years since a tragic HAZMAT incident occurred in Teutopolis. The community is now invited to gather for a memorial service to remember those who lost their lives.
The Teutopolis Fire District announced that the St. Francis Church bells will ring at 8:41 p.m. on September 29 as a tribute to the five individuals who perished in the anhydrous ammonia accident. Friends and family of the victims, along with community members, can pay their respects at the church’s entrance or in the courtyard to the west of the main entrance.
Attendees are asked to arrive early to find a spot. Anyone with additional questions can call 217-821-2549 for more information.
The National Transportation Safety Board published its final report on September 16, detailing the circumstances leading to the crash. According to officials, the accident occurred when a minivan, attempting to overtake a semi-truck transporting anhydrous ammonia in a no-passing area, encountered an oncoming vehicle. This situation forced the semi-truck driver to swerve into a ditch to prevent a head-on collision.
Among those who perished were a father and his two young children residing at the crash site, alongside two travelers on Route 40: a pastor from Missouri and a truck driver from Ohio. They were identified as victims of the crash.
- Kenneth Bryan, 34, from Teutopolis, Ill.
- Rosie Bryan, 7, from Beecher City, Ill.
- Walker Bryan, 10, from Beecher City, Ill.
- Danny J. Smith, 67, from New Haven, Mo.
- Vasile Cricovan, 31, from Twinsburg, Ohio
The tragic event caused serious injuries to nine individuals driving through the area, while an additional four people sustained minor injuries. The incident prompted the evacuation of hundreds on September 29, with operations extending throughout the following day, September 30.
To learn more about the NTSB’s findings, click here.
