GALLATIN CO.—Illinois State Police have released information on a fatal traffic accident that occurred yesterday in Gallatin County.
The traffic accident happened yesterday afternoon (March 27, 2013) at 1:22 p.m. and took the life of a Kentucky woman on Illinois Route 1 just north of the Gallatin/Hardin county line in Gallatin County.
According to the preliminary traffic crash investigation, Shelly M. Curnell, also known as Shelly Welsh, 39, of Salem, Ky., was driving a grey 2005 Pontiac Bonneville northbound on Illinois 1, just north of the Gallatin and Hardin County line, when for unknown reasons, she lost control of her vehicle, overcorrected her steering, and left the roadway, striking a tree.
The initial impact of the crash was on the driver’s side door.
Curnell was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office.
District 19 was assisted at the scene by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department, Gallatin County Ambulance Service, Shawneetown Fire Department, Shawneetown Police Department, Gallatin County Coroner’s Office, and C&T Towing.