Head-On Crash Near Brussels Ferry Injures Two

GRAFTON - An afternoon head-on crash resulted in two people with injuries and a fully loaded semi-truck carrying fuel unable to climb a steep hill on Graham Hollow Road. Illinois State Police, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office and the QEM Fire Protection District members responded rapidly to the crash on Illinois Route 100 several hundred yards east of the ferry entrance Wednesday afternoon.

Both drivers were injured in the crash, but the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, QEM Fire Protection District Chief Gerry New said. 

New also urged people to be careful on the slick roads around the region.

“With all the rain the roads are slick,” he said.

“Both injured parties are very lucky,” New said. “Be very careful on wet roads and drive with caution.”

Illinois State Police was at the scene but did not want to comment yet until the investigation was completed.

Because of the resulting crash delay, a semi-truck driver headed east and not wanting to wait made an attempt to bypass the stopped traffic by using Graham Hollow Road as a detour route. The driver then became stuck on the wet pavement mid-way up a steep hill and was not able to back down the incline. The Jersey Sheriff's Department responded and directed traffic while waiting for the truck to be removed by a local tow company.