(This story has been updated adding the name of the victim.)
Illinois State Police say a three vehicle crash along Illinois route 49 in Vermilion County on Friday (November 19, 2021) has claimed a life. The crash occurred around 3:15 p.m. and involved two semis and a third vehicle. The person killed was the driver of that third vehicle. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden identified the victim as Brenda McVicker, 70, of Hoopeston.
The crash occurred on Illinois route 49 at 4000 North Road, just south of Rankin. State Police say their preliminary investigation found one of the semis, being driven by 51-year-old Corey Grant of Houston, Texas, began to slow due to a school bus in the road with its flashing lights activated. The McVicker vehicle also started to slow but was struck in the rear by the second semi. McVicker’s vehicle became engulfed in flames as it was pushed into the first semi.
Neither of the truck drivers were hurt. The second semi driver was identified by State Police as 60-year-old Stephen Muehling of Cissna Park, Illinois. Muehling was cited for Following Too Closely.
The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The crash remains under investigation by Illinois State Police and the Vermilion County Coroner’s Office.
