The LaSalle County Coroner says there was no connection between a fatal explosion in Utica last week and recent bridge demolition. But a lawyer for the family of three men who died suggests otherwise. Attorney Tara Devine says 39-year old Immer Tejada, 36-year old Rafael Tejada, and 26-year old Guillermo Tejada wouldn’t have handled explosives.
Coroner Rich Ploch said last week it appeared the men lit a black powder substance on fire and it blew up. He said it had nothing to do with the recent demolition of the old Illinois 178 bridge. The blast happened a little west of the new bridge on the north side of the Illinois River.