WAYNE CO.—A single-vehicle accident last night has claimed the life of a Carbondale man.
Illinois State Police advise that Kevin L. Kimmel, 37, of Carbondale, was driving a 2004 Jeep Liberty westbound on Illinois Route 161, approximately a quarter-mile east of Wayne County Road 465 East (in the Johnsonville area) when for unknown reasons, the Jeep ran off the roadway and into the north ditch. The actual time of the accident is still being investigated; it was reported to officials, however, at 8:50 p.m.
The ISP investigation is showing that the Jeep then struck a culvert, which caused the vehicle to become airborne and roll over, coming to rest on the driver’s side.
Kimmel was believed to have not been wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner Jimmy Taylor.
The crash remains under investigation by ISP, with assistance from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and the coroner’s office, Orchardville Fire Department, North Wayne Ambulance Service, and Rick’s Towing.