Five dead, five hurt in Illinois collision that leaked toxic substance

A semi-truck carrying thousands of gallons of a toxic substance crashed in southern Illinois, and the multi-vehicle accident killed five people and left five seriously injured, officials said on Saturday.

The truck was carrying about 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia when it crashed late Friday near the city of Teutopolis in Effingham County, located about 105 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Early estimates indicated that 4,000 gallons were spilled, leading to about 500 people being evacuated from the area, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said.