One person was killed in an accident that occurred on I-57 in Coles County on Saturday.
According to a press releaseĀ from the Illinois State Police, a 25 year old female was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-57 at approximately 12:10pm. Witness accounts gathered by the police officers state that the female swerved out of the left lane into the right lane, leaving the roadway and striking a guardrail. The vehicle was then redirected onto the roadway, crossing both northbound lanes and heading into the center median. The female then enter the southbound lanes of I-57, into the path of 45 year old, Christopher J. Caughron, of Galesburg who was driving a semi tractor-trailer. Caughron attempted to slow down but was unable to avoid hitting the female’s vehicle. The female was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Her name is being withheld pending notification of family. Caughron was transported to the hospital for observation, but had no injuries.
The Illinois State Police are investigating the crash. They were assisted by the Mattoon Police Department and the Lakeland Police Department with traffic control, as the Interstate was shut down until approximately 4:45pm, Saturday.