Early morning traffic started out with major backups this morning and drivers headed to and from Missouri via east/west I-270 were faced with the closure of I-270 at the Chain of Rocks Bridge. It wasn’t until later that motorists realized that the cause of the interstate closure was a fatal accident on the Chain of Rocks Bridge between north St. Louis County and Madison County, Illinois.
All lanes of 270 were closed in both directions as the St. Louis Metro Police Department conducted their investigation. The interstate reopened by 3:30 pm. According to initial reports, St. Louis Police Lt. Carlos Ross stated that an unidentified man (to protect the man’s family) was pushing his car on the bridge. He had his driver’s side door open to allow him to steer the car as he was pushing it. At that same time, the driver of a tractor trailer came up on the disabled car and the man and did not see either. Although the truck driver attempted to avoid the man, the tractor trailer struck the car and the man. The big rig then swerved into the median and caught fire.
There were several witnesses to this unfortunate impact and fiery crash. One passerby jumped out of his vehicle and ran with a fire extinguisher to help the tractor trailer driver. The truck driver was pulled from the crash. It is believed that the disabled car did not have its lights on and thus, was difficult to see. In fact, just prior to the truck crash, it was reported that a Motomart convenience store customer requested that a worker call 911 because there was a man pushing his car on the bridge. Unfortunately, only 10 minutes later, the crash occured.
KSDK interviewed Mike Wright, a AAA spokesperson regarding what drivers should do in the event of a car breakdown. Mr. Wright stated that obviously, drivers should try to stay out of the way of traffic and stay in the car if possible. If walking is necessary, drivers should walk into traffic.

St. Louis Fire Captain Dan Sutter discusses the tractor trailer crash on Chain of Rocks Bridge.
With Missouri’s many interstates, it is not uncommon to see individuals pushing their disabled vehicles on the highway. Considering that 18 wheeler/tractor trailers frequently pass through the state, it is extrememly dangerous for drivers to walk on any highway or interstate – no matter the reason. As a St. Louis truck accident attorney, I have seen truck and passenger car accidents that completely demolished the passenger car. It is not hard to understand why a pedestrian would simply have no chance against a semi truck in the event of a collision.
UPDATE: Recent information has been released indicating that calls were made to 911 prior to this crash. These callers told the dispatcher that there was a man on the bridge that needed help with his disabled car. Unfortunately, the dispatcher sent the officers to the wrong location. By the time the officers obatined the correct information and made it to the actual site, the crash had already occured.
Man struck by semi while pushing stalled car on Chain of Rocks Bridge, December 8, 2010, KSDK.com.