// a href = ./ //

   A Waterloo man is critically injured after falling about 50 feet as he reportedly fled from a crash.  

   The single-car accident happened around 8:30 Monday evening along Interstate 255 just west of Illinois Route 3.  

   Illinois State Police have identified the driver as 21 year old Thomas Falk.  

   Witnesses told police that Falk appeared to have a head injury when he got out of his car.  Police say Falk argued with someone who had reported the crash to police, then jumped over a guardrail and fell to the railroad tracks below.  

   Falk was taken to St. Louis University Hospital by Arch helicopter.  His condition is reported to be very critical. 

   Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel is ruling out a run for governor in 2016.  

   Zweifel, a Democrat, is prohibited by term limits from seeking a third term as treasurer.

   He had been mentioned along with Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster as a potential successor to Democratic Governor Jay Nixon.  

   But Zweifel campaign manager Mike Pridmore said Monday that the state treasurer will not run for governor in 2016 because he want's to spend more time with his family. 

   Firefighters remain on the scene of a smokey fire that's destroyed a metro-east salvage yard.  Cahokia fire officials say the blaze broke out about 2:30 Monday afternoon at Marty's Salvage Yard in the 2000 block of Camp Jackson Road.  

   Burning tires and auto parts created a huge column of black smoke that could be seen for miles.  The thick smoke prompted authorities to bring in HazMat crews.  

   Firefighters could remain at the scene all night as they deal with hot spots.  

   Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.  

   Cahokia Assistant Fire Chief  Stephen Robbins says there were two minor injuries -- a salvage yard worker and a firefighter who suffered smoke inhalation.