EAST ALTON — A lumber delivery truck crashed into a vacant building at the corner of West Main in East Alton on Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2026, after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, authorities said.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:31 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2026, when the driver, hauling a load of lumber from St. Louis, was traveling east on Main Street in East Alton. According to East Alton Police Major Al Adams, the driver did not stop at a stop sign at the intersection.
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“He was afraid to hit the brakes and tried to turn or do something,” Adams said. “The truck then went north onto the street and into a vacant building.”
The truck also clipped a pole during the crash, prompting Ameren Illinois to respond to the scene.
Major Adams said the vehicle remained stuck in the building while crews awaited its removal. No injuries were reported, and no one else was hurt in the incident. The business struck by the truck was vacant at the time.
Major Adams added that the driver was not intoxicated and attempted to correct the situation, but was unable to do so.
Adams said the lumber truck driver is "lucky" he wasn't injured, and the police were thankful no one was inside the building at the time of the crash.
The East Alton Police investigation into the crash is ongoing.
