I-24 Accident Stalls Traffic For Hours Monday

Both eastbound and westbound lanes of  I-24 near the Ohio River Bridge were closed for almost two hours Monday night following a multi-vehicle accident.

According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Office, 23-year-old Jacob McCabe of Ozark, IL and his passenger, 24-year-old Corey Patton of Grantsburg, IL were traveling westbound on the I-24 Bridge when their vehicle experienced mechanical problems and stalled. 

Moments later, a semi driven by 25-year-old Singh Onkar of Shawnee, KS, approached McCabe’s stalled vehicle that was in the slow lane with its flashers on. Deputies said Onkar attempted to change lanes but because of another vehicle in the left lane collided into the rear of the stalled vehicle.

The force of the collision caused one of the semi's fuel tanks to break loose, resulting in fuel spilling on the bridge surface. Emergency crews quickly contained the fuel spill.

Both eastbound and westbound lanes on the bridge were closed for approximately one hour and forty five minutes to allow emergency crews full access to the collision scene from both sides of the bridge. Police said no injuries were reported. Both lanes were reported clear and open to traffic shortly after midnight Tuesday.

During this time, two semis in opposite directions attempted to bypass the accident by crossing the US 45-Brookport Bridge and became stuck. One semi had to be backed down to clear the bridge.