Authorities have identified the two men killed in a multi-vehicle crash Sunday night on Interstate 80 near Morris.

Brandon E. Heard, 43, of River Grove, and Jesse M. Smith, 25, of Morris, suffered fatal injuries as a result of the wreck, according to car accident reports from the Illinois State Police. A third person also suffered injuries that aren’t believed to be life-threatening, authorities said.

Authorities said Heard was driving a semi-tractor trailer west on Interstate 80 at 11:55 p.m. Sunday when a jeep, in which Smith was a passenger, pulled onto the interstate from the shoulder. Heard’s truck struck the jeep from behind, according to car accident reports.

Heard was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, according to emergency medical personnel. Smith was airlifted from the scene for treatment, but he later succumbed to his wounds at an area hospital.

The driver of the jeep, Jean C. D. Wilson, 20, of Morris, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries described in car accident reports as non-life-threatening.

All lanes of westbound traffic were closed overnight while investigators worked at the scene. Westbound traffic on the interstate was not resumed until after 7 a.m. The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and “there is no further information at this time,” troopers said in a press release. Authorities have not said whether they suspect factors such as speed, inattentive driving or intoxication might have contributed to the wreck.

Disclaimer: The Accident News article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.

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