MARION COUNTY — An accident Wednesday morning on U.S. Route 50 just east of Sandoval claimed the life of a 57-year-old semi-truck driver and resulted in the highway being closed for hours while traffic was detoured and emergency crews responded.

According to Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon, Kevin Van Blaricum, of Noble, Illinois, was apparently killed instantly in the collision.

A preliminary investigation indicates a possibility that Van Blaricum may have suffered an acute medical condition which may have caused or contributed to the crash. The investigation continues.

The Coroner’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office,

The accident occurred at the intersection of Norton Road and U.S. Route 50, about 1.5 miles east of Sandoval.

Two semi trucks reportedly sideswiped each other, while traveling on Route 50, with both trucks ending up in the ditches on both sides of highway.

Van Blaricum, the driver of a box truck, had to be extricated by Sandoval and Odin firefighters, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of a grain truck was uninjured. Sandoval and Odin fire departments, along with Marion County EMS, Lifestar, Illinois State Police, and Marion County Sheriff were all on scene. The highway was until approximately 4 p.m., with traffic diverted as emergency crews responded to the incident.