One Person Dead in Jefferson County Accident

Authorities say a Louisiana man was killed in an early morning traffic crash on Interstate 57 in Jefferson County.It happened just after 3 a.m. Monday on I-57 northbound at mile post 103 near Dix.Illinois State Police say Raymond M. Burt, 44, of Kentwood, Louisiana, was driving a 2001 Peterbilt semi-trailer loaded with machinery parts when he struck a semi in front of him that had slowed for traffic.Burt was thrown from the vehicle and was later pronounced dead at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon.The driver and passenger in the other semi, both from Jacksonville, Florida, were taken to Good Samaritan Regional Health Center for treatment of minor injuries.Northbound lanes of Interstate 57 were closed for approximately five hours.Illinois State Police say failure to reduce speed contributed to the accident, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Jefferson County Rural Fire Protection District, Jefferson County Coroner's Office, Litton's EMS, McDermott's Towing and Rick's Towing assisted at the scene.
7:57 a.m. UPDATE -- Trooper Joey Watson tells us all lanes of Interstate 57 in Jefferson County are back open. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family.