Coughing attack causes accident

A semi driver with tractor and trailer heading eastbound on Interstate 80 crossed two lanes of traffic and then completely drove through the former Peru Antique Mall on May Road in Peru.

The driver was David T. Joy, 48, of Omaha, Neb. and was cited with improper lane usage, said the Illinois State Police.

The driver told Illinois State Police he had a coughing attack that led him to black out of consciousness while driving; and when he woke up he was in the unoccupied building, he told the ISP.

Responders were called around 10:09 a.m. Monday to the crash at 2702 May Road.

The driver was able to walk after the accident, and he went to Illinois Valley Community Hospital to get checked out, the Illinois State Police said.

The semi had clipped another vehicle that was traveling westbound, but no one in that vehicle was injured, the ISP said.

The accident is being handled by Illinois State Police. Peru police and fire were also on scene.

The antique mall opened April 1, 2000, and closed April 1, 2020.

There are two businesses planned for the building.

Bob Grivetti, of Peru, along with Carlos Teran, of Miami, Fla., are the owners of Machinery Parts Warehouse.


Teran is the the owner of Teran Industries.

Grivetti said the building had "major damage," from Monday's accident.

Before Monday's accident, they had planned to move into the building by late July or early August.