City of Kewanee workers demolished the house hit by the truck today, ensuring the house wouldn’t collapse and injure bystanders. The Kewanee Fire Department and Kewanee Police Department were dispatched to the call at 2:04 PM for a truck that struck a house. The driver of the truck was injured, but we do not have any updates on his condition. According to the Kewanee Police Department, the cause of the accident remains under investigation. The Kewanee Fire Department said they could not gather any information regarding the cause of the accident from the truck driver. The truck left the roadway, drove between two utility poles, drove by the first house on the corner, struck the next house to the east, and came to rest after hitting the house located at 807 East 2nd Street. We will provide updates as we receive them.
According to a press release from the Kewanee Police Department, “A Win Supply Companies straight bed semi-truck was traveling eastbound in the 700 block of East 2nd Street (Route 34). At the intersection of East 2nd Street and Northeast Street, the vehicle exited the roadway, traveling through the front yard of a residence located in the 800 block of East 2nd Street. The truck continued its path eastbound, striking the corner of a neighboring residence, causing damage to its foundation and siding. The vehicle continued eastbound and collided with a second residence, coming to a stop while embedded in the structure.”
The semi-truck driver suffered multiple injuries and was transported to OSF St Luke by ambulance. He was taken by LifeFlight to OSF St Francis in Peoria for further treatment. The Kewanee Police Department is waiting for more information from OSF St Francis before releasing the driver’s information.
Ameren dug up the gas line to shut off gas to the residence, and Hodge’s Towing pulled the truck from the house and towed the truck. The house was demolished for the safety of the public.
Bill Conner purchased the house in 2014 and has rented to numerous people and families. Mr. Conner and his team were renovating the property. He said the inside was finished on Monday and they planned to start on the outside so the house could be listed for sale. They were in the house Tuesday morning to gather some items. He said he is thankful they weren’t in the house and that there weren’t any kids walking when it happened. He said he hopes the driver of the truck is ok. The house was built in 1907.
