Trucker had signs of coronary disease but cause of fatal crash remains undetermined

Signs of coronary artery disease were found in the truck driver who suddenly veered off Interstate 270 in Glen Carbon and died when his tractor-trailer crashed and burned on Wednesday, but it has not yet been determined if heart disease caused or contributed to the crash, the Madison County Coroner’s Office said Thursday.

Brian Westerfield, 47, of Freeburg, died in the fiery crash.

An autopsy was conducted Thursday but a precise cause of death is not being announced pending completion of carbon monoxide studies, according to a news release from the coroner’s office.

Illinois State Police said the cause of the crash was under investigation but that Westerfield possibly suffered a medical emergency.

Westerfield had been a driver for Mascoutah-based Jung Transport LLC for seven years. He was hauling about 20,000 pounds of sand when he crashed at mile marker 10.

Westerfield’s colleagues described him as a driver who made friends with customers and helped train new drivers.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Renner Funeral Home in Belleville.

This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Trucker had signs of coronary disease but cause of fatal crash remains undetermined."