[NOTE: THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION. SEE THE UPDATED STORY ON THIS WEBPAGE.]
Vermilion County Sheriff’s Police say a two-vehicle crash along Illinois route one this morning (December 14, 2018) has claimed a life. Another person was taken to an area hospital following the crash which occurred south of Illinois route 119 and north of the Bismarck turnoff.
Illinois State Police are handling the investigation and said that area of route one would be closed for an extended period of time. One of the vehicles burst into flames upon impact.
State troopers say their preliminary investigation found that a vehicle being operated by a 47-year-old Illinois man was traveling southbound along Route 1, nearing 2820 North Road, when it entered the northbound lane and hit the second unit head on. The first unit then flipped and became engulfed in flames before coming to rest in a ditch. The second unit came to a rest in the roadway. It was being driven by a 29-year-old female from Illinois. Names of the two drivers were not immediately released. The male driver was pronounced dead on the scene. The female was taken to an area hospital with what was described as ”non life-threatening injuries.”
Bismarck Fire and Ambulance personnel were among emergency personnel assisting at the scene. The Illinois Department of Transportation also assisted by placing message boards to direct traffic around the crash site. State Police suggested motorists use Bowman or Henning Roads as a detour.
The Vermilion County Coroner’s office has not released the name of the victim.
