JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 52-year-old Murray, Kentucky man and his 24-year-old passenger were taken by ambulance Sunday from a crash on Interstate 57 near Ina involving his Toyota Rav 4 and two semi-trucks.

According to the Illinois State Police, around 2:07 p.m. Sunday at mile post 89.9 of I-57, Tod M. Watson was driving his 2011 Toyota Rav 4 southbound on the interstate in Jefferson County at the same time 52-year-old James Dennison, of Iuka was also southbound in his 2016 Peterbilt semi-truck pulling a flatbed trailer.

Both Dennison and Watson began to slow their vehicles for backed up construction zone traffic. However, according to ISP, 30-year-old Isic Mirza, of Michigan failed to slow his 2000 Freightliner in time to avoid striking the Toyota.

Mizra’s semi struck the rear of the Toyota, forcing the Toyota into the rear of the flatbed trailer being pulled by Dennison. Tod Watson and his passenger Shannon Watson received minor injuries and were transported from the scene by ambulance to a local hospital.

No lanes of I-57 were closed during the crash investigation and scene cleanup. Mizra was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.