UPDATE: A fatal crash occurred early this morning that resulted in the death of 40-Year-old Jeffery D. Beck of Altamont. While stopped in traffic on I-70, approximately one mile south of St. Elmo, Beck’s vehicle was struck in the rear by a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Joshua M. Willis of Mansfield, OH. The collision pushed Beck’s vehicle into the trailer of a semi-truck, also stopped in traffic, driven by 45-year-old William K. Daume of Canton, TX. Also in Daume’s vehicle was 53-year-old Bobbi L. Gibbs of Pauls Valley, OK. Willis also had 46-year-old Jack E. Rudolph, also of Mansfield, in his vehicle.
Beck was pronounced dead on the scene by the Fayette County Coroner. Mansfield and Rudolph were taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Effingham and were then transported to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Daume and Gibbs were treated on the scene and released.
Willis is charged with Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The crash investigation is ongoing.
Courtesy of Todd Stapleton at Vandalia Radio
I-70 Westbound near the St. Elmo exit is back open, but will be down to one lane for several hours, following an early morning crash.
The crash, which Illinois State Police say occurred about 5:25 am this morning, is still being investigated at this time. The ISP encourages motorist to avoid the area if at all possible.
As the State Police adds more details will be released as the investigation develops. State Police say the crash involved 3 vehicles. The ISP have said that there is a fatality in this accident but at this time no names are being released. Please avoid the area if at all possible.