Fatal Traffic Crash In Marion County

Marion County, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12:

WHAT:                      

• Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash       

WHERE: 

• Illinois Route 37 at Sassafras Road, Marion County

WHEN:

• June 23, 2022 at approximately 9:51 a.m.

VEHICLES:

• Unit 1 – 2005 Red Dodge Truck
• Unit 2 – 2017 Black Ford Truck

DRIVERS:                 

• Unit 1 – Jessie P. Scott, 43-year-old male from Valier, IL – Deceased
• Unit 2 – Ryne M. Smith, 32-year-old male from Centralia, IL – Transported to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      

• A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 37 at Sassafras Road.  Unit 2 was traveling southbound at the same location. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 lost control, entered the southbound lane, and struck the front of Unit 2. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Marion County Coroner.  The driver of Unit 2 was transported to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. Both lanes of Illinois Route 37 were closed for the crash investigation and reopened at approximately 1:35 p.m. No further information is available at this time.