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SALINE CO., Ill.—Illinois State Police have released the names of those involved in a fatal traffic crash earlier today in the Rudement area of Saline County.
The crash occurred on Illinois Route 34, approximately a quarter-mile north of Womble Road at about 3:10 p.m. today (Thursday, October 2, 2014).
According to the preliminary traffic crash investigation, the driver of a 2001 Dodge Durango, Donald R. Childers, 73, of Marion, was northbound on Illinois Route 34, at that location north of Womble Road when he swerved to miss a slower-moving vehicle in the roadway and lost control of his vehicle on the wet pavement. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.
Donald R. Childers was pronounced deceased at the traffic crash scene by the Saline County Coroner’s Office. Passengers Betty J. Childers, 68, and David Grace, 27, also both of Marion, were transported to an area hospital by Saline County Ambulance Service for injuries sustained in the traffic crash. Betty J. Childers was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Traffic was closed for an undisclosed period of time, but all lanes are open now.
Bishop’s Towing of Harrisburg, Illinois, removed the vehicle from the crash scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
An ISP Crash Reconstruction Officer (C.R.O.) has been assigned to the crash investigation. In addition, ISP District 19 was assisted at the crash scene by the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, Saline County EMS, Saline County Coroner’s Office, Carrier Mills Fire Department, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (I.D.O.T.).
There are no charges pending at this time in connection with the crash.