Teutopolis ammonia incident investigation continues

TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — An accident that claimed the lives of five, including a father and his two children, near Teutopolis, IL, is still under investigation. The accident occurred on US 40 on September 29, 2023. Seven others suffered injuries in the accident.

Sarah Taylor Sulick of the National Transportation Safety Board told WTWO the investigation is ongoing. She noted investigations can take 12-24 months to be completed from the date of the crash. The public docket typically opens around the year anniversary of the crash.

It is the NTSB’s role to determine the probable cause of an accident but do not determine any criminal liability or charges. That is handled by law enforcement.

The investigation into the crash and subsequent ammonia leak revealed that a vehicle had possibly passed a tanker truck as it was driving on U.S Route 40 east of Teutopolis. The driver of the truck subsequently swerved to the right and ran off the road.

As the truck and its tanker trailer crashed, the tank was pierced by the hitch of a utility trailer that was parked at the scene. Half of the anhydrous ammonia inside the tank leaked out, and prompted an evacuation of Teutopolis.

Illinois State Police had released the video of a vehicle they were looking for as a part of their investigation. Identification was provided by information received from people in Montrose and Teutopolis. However, no other information has been released.

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