Police not yet disclosing name of fatal crash victim

Authorities still have not released the identity of a driver killed Monday in a four-vehicle crash on Illinois Highway 146, according to Trooper Bridget Rice of the Illinois State Police.

The fatal wreck occurred around 6:30 p.m., just east of Cape Girardeau, when a sport utility vehicle traveling eastbound on the road crossed the center lane of traffic, striking a tractor-trailer.

The impact caused the SUV to burst into flames, spinning into the left passing lane, and hitting a third vehicle. Three passengers of that vehicle were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center for treatment. A fourth car struck some debris left from the crash.

The crash is still being investigated, Rice said.

Rice would not disclose the gender of the deceased, pending notification of family members.

Video from the crash scene

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FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Firefighters extinguished flames on a sport utility vehicle that caught fire after hitting a semi head on just east of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge on Illinois Highway 146 on Monday, June 30, 2008.