TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. – As many as five people are dead after several vehicles crashed in the east of Effingham, and one of them started leaking anhydrous ammonia.
Authorities say the crashes happened late Friday night on U.S. Highway 40 near the small community of Teutopolis.
Residents within a one mile area of the leak were evacuated from their homes as a precaution while crews worked to contain the leak.
Broadcast reports indicate of the five people who died, three were from one family, while the remaining two were out-of-state drivers
The leak was cleared and the threat passed prior to 10 p.m. Saturday. The National Transportation Safety Board reportedly will investigate the crash..
