SALEM, IL — Southbound Interstate 57 was closed for more than three hours Monday and traffic diverted through Salem after two semi-trucks were involved in a crash.

According to the Salem Fire Protection District, a tire problem possibly caused a partially loaded northbound tanker truck carrying crude oil was go out of control, cross the median, and bounce off the rear side of a FedEx semi. The tanker truck then continued across the southbound lanes and hit a guardrail on the west side of the interstate before coming to a stop. Firefighters had to force the door of the cab open on the tanker truck to get the driver out. He was then airlifted from the scene. The driver of the FedEx truck refused treatment. The impact of the crash caused his truck to split open and some of his cargo spilled onto the interstate. The tanker, however did not spill any of its contents.

The crash occurred around 11:27 a.m., and one lane of the interstate was reopened around Monday 2:15 p.m.