### Teenager Admits Fault in Fatal Ammonia Spill Accident in Illinois

A tragic accident involving a tanker carrying hazardous anhydrous ammonia resulted in the deaths of five individuals and the evacuation of hundreds in central Illinois. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released a report detailing that a 17-year-old Ohio girl inadvertently caused the crash while driving her family's minivan.

According to the NTSB, the incident occurred in September 2023 as the teenager, her mother, and her brother were on their way to visit her mother’s boyfriend in the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis. Due to an earlier accident on Interstate 70, traffic was diverted onto U.S. 40, a two-lane highway.

Dashcam footage from the tanker truck revealed that the girl attempted to pass the tanker at high speed, ultimately cutting it off. The tanker jackknifed and collided with a utility trailer, causing a puncture in the ammonia tank. This led to the release of thousands of gallons of toxic anhydrous ammonia just west of Teutopolis, approximately 110 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Tragically, the released ammonia formed a deadly gas plume, claiming the lives of Kenneth Bryan and his children, Walker, 10, and Rosie, 7, who were outside their home at the time of the accident. Also among the casualties were Rev. Dan J. Smith, a Missouri pastor, and Vasile Cricovan, a 31-year-old immigrant from Moldova, who were driving along that stretch of road.

In total, about 500 residents were evacuated from the area to prevent further chemical exposure. When questioned by investigators, the teen admitted to causing the crash, expressing shock and taking full responsibility as she watched the dashcam video during an interview with Illinois State Police on October 4, 2023.

The girl recounted that her attempt to pass began in a legal passing zone but quickly turned dangerous. She estimated her speed at 90 mph when she narrowly avoided an oncoming vehicle. Her mother, though distressed by the risky maneuver, did not realize the severity of the ensuing events.

During the interview, the teen emphasized that neither she nor her family were aware of the tanker overturning behind them. She expressed regret over her poor judgment in assessing distances and traffic conditions.

The NTSB will continue with the investigative process, promising further analysis and conclusions in due course. The Illinois State Police have also completed their investigation and forwarded their findings to Effingham County State's Attorney Aaron Jones. There has been no public comment on the case status from Jones so far.

This story synthesizes information from the National Transportation Safety Board, The Associated Press, and The Independent.