One person was killed Tuesday when a truck apparently struck a tree in a single-vehicle crash one mile east of Galena, Ill., according to a news release from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly before 9:30 a.m., the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 report of a vehicle on fire in the roadway on West Stagecoach Trail, east of Burton’s Bridge.
Deputies found a Chevrolet Avalanche engulfed in flames in the roadway. Upon further investigation, a single occupant of the vehicle was found.
It was determined that the truck was traveling west on West Stagecoach Trail and was negotiating a curve when it apparently drifted off the right shoulder into the ditch without braking or turning.
The truck then apparently hit a tree and went airborne, according to the release, which says “It appears that when the vehicle landed, it impacted the ditch, then was thrown onto the roadway, coming to rest in the roadway facing the opposite direction, and ignited in flames.”
There were no witnesses to the crash, but it was quickly discovered in flames, according to initial witnesses. The identity of the driver is being withheld pending identification and notification of family members.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Galena Police and Fire departments, Galena Area EMS District, Scales Mound Fire Protection District, Galena City Public Works, Jo Daviess County Highway and Jo Daviess County Coroner assisted at the scene.