Interstate shuts down after pedestrian runs into UPS truck

A pedestrian ran into traffic on southbound Interstate 55 and was hit by a truck, prompting the closure of the interstate for a time.

First-responders shut down southbound Interstate 55 near Horseshoe Lake Road to allow medical helicopters to land and take the man to Saint Louis University Hospital.

The interstate reopened by 9:45 a.m.

The man suffered life-threatening injuries but was alive when he was transported to the hospital, said Timothy Tyler of the Illinois State Police.

Tyler said the man “ran into a UPS truck” and his body was run over by the rear tandem wheels on the truck.

Tyler said he smelled alcohol, and the man, about 30, appeared intoxicated.

This story was originally published September 21, 2017 at 10:04 AM with the headline "Interstate shuts down after pedestrian runs into UPS truck."