A fatal accident occurred in Tazewell County on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. It was a life-changer for at least two families and maybe more. The accident occurred on Manito Road in the early afternoon when two trucks collided.
A 70-year-old woman was driving a Ford Ranger pickup, and for an unknown reason, she crossed the center line and collided head on into a Chevrolet Colorado pickup. In the Chevy pickup was a 58-year-old man and his daughter’s 19-year-old boyfriend on their way back from a hunting trip. Both vehicles went off the road, and the Chevrolet burst into flames. The men in the pickup did not survive. The woman was rescued by the firefighters and is listed in fair condition at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center.
According to the report and investigation, the woman was driving alone in her vehicle when she crossed over to the opposite lane. The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy states that he expects citations to be filed against her. The investigation was still taking place on Thursday at the gruesome scene of what was left of the burnt vehicles. The accident occurred on a curve in a 45-mph zone. The speed of the two vehicles is not known.
This is a tragedy in so many ways. The 58-year-old man’s daughter has lost both her father and boyfriend; both families of these two deceased men are suffering the loss of loved ones. The woman who survived in the other truck will have to live with memories of this fatal accident, which is sure to cause mental anguish.
Fatalities that happen to innocent victims leave their families in unimaginable pain and circumstances. The direct cause of the accident needs to be determined during the investigation, so the families of the deceased can be compensated for their loss — including the mental and financial toll they are burdened with. It is wise to retain an attorney right after such an accident so that they can handle these details and stay on top of the investigation while the family deals with their grief.
Source: Journal Star, “Charges will likely be filed against survivor of fatal crash,” Michael Smothers, Nov. 09, 2017