EFFINGHAM CO., Ill. - An early-morning collision between a semi and a Dodge Caravan injured several individuals from upstate, and claimed the life of an elderly passenger in the van.
Illinois State Police in District 12 Effingham report that the accident occurred this morning (Saturday, September 1) at 1:35 a.m.
Preliminary investigative details indicate that Marchelle M. Collins, 40, from Chicago, was traveling on Interstate 57 southbound in the Caravan near milepost 167 in Effingham County. With Collins were passengers Olivia M. Collins, 39; Michael M. Anderson, 18; Willie Mae Butler, 57; and 9-year-old and 11-year-old juveniles, all from Chicago; and Calumet City resident Mary J. Gates, 74.
Collins was traveling at a slower speed in the right lane of 57 due to having a spare tire on the vehicle.
A 2011 Volvo truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer, being operated by Terrell Marshawn Ross, 41, from Hopkins, South Carolina, came up from behind the Dodge Caravan. The truck struck the Caravan's rear, causing heavy damage to the front of the Volvo and the rear of the Caravan.
The Caravan then went into the median where it came to rest. The Volvo/semi trailer came to rest on the right shoulder.
The driver of the Volvo was not injured. Injured in the Caravan were Olivia Collins, Willie Mae Butler, and the 11-year-old juvenile were transported to St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham by ambulance. Michael Anderson was transported by ambulance to Carle Hospital in Champaign. The 9-year-old juvenile was airlifted to Carle Hospital in Champaign. Mary Gates was also airlifted to Carle in Champaign, but was later pronounced deceased there.
While Ross was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, ISP reports that the crash remains under investigation.