Madison County coroner IDs truck driver who died in crash with another truck

A 67-year-old Alton man was killed in a collision Tuesday between two trucks in Madison County, the coroner said Thursday.

James H. Roberts was identified as the victim, Coroner Steve Nonn said in a news release.

Roberts was driving a semi-truck hauling rock south on Illinois 159 near the intersection of North Deer Park Drive in Moro Township when a northbound dump truck also hauling rock crossed the center line and struck Roberts, Nonn said.

The dump truck driver had crossed the center line to avoid a northbound fuel tanker that had stopped to turn left into a driveway, the coroner said.

Roberts was pronounced deceased at the scene by a coroner’s office investigator and the driver of the dump truck was taken to a hospital.

Illinois State Police officers are investigating the crash, which was reported at 3:28 p.m. Tuesday.

Nonn said funeral arrangements are pending for Roberts.