ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI--FOX2now.com)—
One man is dead after a big rig crashes into the Interstate 64/Highway 40 median and then collides into the Taylor Avenue overpass support Monday morning. Officials say the semi driver, 48-year-old Thomas Joseph Niemeyer of Bethalto, Illinois, suddenly swerved left and struck the Taylor Avenue bridge overpass. The driver was thrown from the cab and pronounced dead on the scene.Police do not think Niemeyer was cut-off by another motorist. They will look into all possible causes, including the driver's health.
One witness reports hearing a loud boom, a boom he could feel. Traffic in both directions on I-64 was shut down for more than 4 hours. Side streets were jammed with cars and trucks.
MODOT engineers arrived to check out the overpass which was built in 1962. They determined it was safe for traffic to use again. They want to strengthen the sidewalks before they open those to foot traffic. MODOT expects to work on the overpass beginning around 9:00am Tuesday morning so drivers should be aware traffic may slow in that area.
Niemeyer worked for Sysco. A spokesman for the food service company says they are saddened by the accident and they have the driver's family in their thoughts and prayers.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash. All lanes of Westbound I-64 and several lanes of Eastbound I-64 reopened around 4:00pm Monday afternoon.
