HAMILTON CO., Ill.—Illinois State Police worked the scene of a vehicle crash with a fatality in Hamilton County last night.
Killed in the crash was Ralph W. Erwin, 69, of Dahlgren.
The crash, which took place at approximately 5:10 p.m. yesterday, November 4, 2014, occurred on Illinois Route 142 in rural Hamilton County, approximately one-half mile south of the Jefferson County line.
Both lanes of Illinois Route 142 are open at this time; however, the crash closed both lanes of Route 142 for approximately four hours while authorities worked to assess the factors involved and to remove the vehicles from the area.
According to the preliminary traffic crash investigative details, Joshua D. Jones, 23, of Mt. Vernon, was the driver of a red 2013 Dodge Avenger; Jones was northbound on Route 142 when he crossed the center line and struck head-on a southbound red 2006 GMC Canyon pickup truck, driven by Erwin. After Jones’ vehicle struck Erwin’s vehicle, it proceeded northbound and struck a white 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, being driven by a 22-year-old female from McLeansboro, who remains unidentified at this time.
Erwin was pronounced deceased at the traffic crash scene by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. Joshua D. Jones was transported to an area hospital for injuries sustained in the traffic crash. The female driver was not injured.
J&R Towing of McLeansboro removed the Dodge Avenger and the GMC Canyon pickup truck from the crash scene. The Chevrolet Cobalt was not towed from the scene.
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 Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, McLeansboro Police Department, Hamilton County EMA, Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, Dahlgren Fire Department, Harre Ambulance Service, Litton Ambulance Service, and J&R Towing.
Charges are pending according to ISP.