ST. ELMO — An accident on Interstate 70 involving a semi trailer hauling cattle led to the death of several head of cattle and led to traffic being re-routed onto U.S. Route 40 for several hours.

According to Illinois State Police, 26-year-old Cory Acker of Shreve, Ohio was driving a semi truck westbound on Interstate 70 about 4 miles west of St. Elmo when a deer ran out in front of his truck tractor livestock hauler.

Acker attempted to avoid the deer, left the roadway, and ran into the center median where his truck tractor livestock hauler overturned onto the driver’s side.

Several cattle got loose and five additional crashes were reported where vehicles struck the wandering cattle.

No injuries were reported in any of the crashes, but 11 head of cattle died in the accident.  Interstate 70 was closed and re-routed onto U.S. Route 40 for several hours.