Trucker frees trapped driver after car strikes semi's fuel tank

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (WLS) -- A truck driver rescued a man trapped behind the steering wheel of a car that hit a semi head-on in south suburban Blue Island.

Truck driver Ralph Peterson was on his way home to Riverdale when a car came over a nearby bridge, crossed over into his lane and slammed head-on into the big rig around midnight near West 129th Street and South Ashland Avenue.

He said he tried to avoid the car, but it slammed into his truck's 100-gallon fuel tanks.

"The vehicle came over the bridge. As he was crossing the bridge, he was coming at a high speed. I seen him cross over the lane. He hit me head on. He hit my fuel tanks. My whole vehicle front-end just collapsed to the ground," Peterson said. "I jumped out. There was diesel fuel everywhere. I ran out to see if he was OK, make sure he was OK."

The driver of the car was trapped behind the steering wheel. Peterson freed the man and pulled him to safety. He was not seriously injured, according to police, but was transported to Christ Hospital in Oaklawn.

The crash closed the road overnight. It was back open by 5 a.m. Friday.

Blue Island Police are investigating the crash. No citations have been issued.