Interstate Now Open After Morning Three-Vehicle Crash

Three lanes of Interstate 74 near Ogden were closed most of the day Thursday due to an early morning accident involving two semis and a Department of Transportation pickup truck.

State troopers say one of the semis had crossed over the center cable barriers and median. 

After operating one lane westbound for hours, both lanes were open around 1 p.m.  Both eastbound lanes were closed for several hours after the crash.

State Police said the driver of the IDOT truck, 47-year old James Miller of Philo, and one of the semis, 33-year old Matthew Branson of Shelbyville, Indiana, received serious injuiries and were both transported to Carle Hospital in Urbana.

The occupants of the other semi were injured and transported to Carle, but none appeared to be life threatening.

Westbound drivers on I-74 from the Danville area are told to expect delays, to use caution, and allow for extra travel time.  

Eastbound motorists on the interstate from the Champaign area were expected to detour onto US-150, and back onto I-74 at exit 200.  

State Police said the lanes are closed or reduced to facilitate crash reconstruction, removal of the vehicle by tow equipment, cargo remediation and a small hazardous materials cleanup.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.  The eastbound passsing lane of I-74 has re-opened.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.  Both lanes have re-opened.