By: Tim O’friel
August 22nd, 2026
A dashcam video captured a violent collision involving a semi-truck and a piece of road-construction equipment after the machine entered the truck’s active travel lane.
GPS information visible in the footage places the incident on the Ken Gray Expressway near Dongola, Illinois, at approximately 37.817706, -89.156735. The timestamp shows the crash occurred at about 7:56 a.m. CDT on August 20, 2026.
The roughly 34-second video shows the semi traveling through a highway work zone as a piece of Vermeer construction equipment moves into or across the truck’s path.
The truck driver appears to have very little time or distance to react before the semi collides with the machine.
This footage is presented for news reporting, commentary, criticism, and public-interest purposes. All rights remain with the original copyright owner. Use is intended to be transformative and consistent with applicable fair-use principles.
The impact is substantial, but the available footage shows a collision only. It does not establish that the semi or the construction equipment overturned.
At this time, TWOSU News has not independently confirmed whether anyone was injured, whether citations were issued, or what investigators ultimately determined caused the crash.
Work Zones Leave Little Room for Error
Construction zones are among the most unforgiving environments on the highway.
Large commercial trucks require significantly more distance to slow or stop than passenger vehicles, and when workers or construction equipment enter an active traffic lane, drivers may have only seconds to respond.
Equipment operators working alongside moving traffic should make certain a lane is clear before entering it, while motorists and truck drivers should reduce speed, increase following distance and remain alert for workers or machinery that may unexpectedly move into their path.
Even at reduced speeds, a collision between an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle and heavy construction machinery can have devastating consequences.
TWOSU News will update this story if additional verified information about the crash becomes available.
