EFFINGHAM — The weekend’s blast of wintry weather wreaked havoc on the area’s major and rural roadways, resulting in at least one fatal accident and several other crashes Sunday afternoon.
Carol Thoele (Doedtman), 52, of Effingham died of traumatic injuries she sustained when struck by a vehicle on Interstate 57 southbound near Mattoon Sunday, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
Thoele reportedly exited her vehicle after being involved in a multiple-car crash and was then struck by another vehicle involved in the accident. Thoele was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where she was pronounced dead at 7:55 p.m. The accident was still under investigation Monday.
Sgt. Bill Emery with Illinois State Police District 10 said the district had more than 50 crash reports Sunday, with five resulting in serious personal injuries. Thoele’s was the only fatality reported as of Monday.
“It has been extremely busy,” Emery said. “The roads are clear today, but there are some slippery spots and we are still getting a few vehicles off the roadway.”
ISP District 12 also reported a number of accidents along Interstates 57 and 70, including an eight-car pileup on Interstate 70 westbound near Casey that closed the highway for approximately seven hours.
A chain reaction of collisions occurred when a semi truck driven by Frank Beadle of New York struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Joseph Wirth, 61, of Newton, causing that vehicle to slam into the rear of another semi. Wirth and his passenger, Peggy Lewis, of Newton were extricated from the vehicle and taken to Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Ind., for minor injuries, according to District 12 state police. Beadle was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
A three-vehicle collision on Interstate 70 eastbound involving two semi trucks and a minivan also sent motorists to the hospital. Carrie L. Baker, 49, of Collinsville and passengers Adam and James Baker were all taken to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham for treatment of minor injuries.
Some accidents were still under investigation by police Monday.
Provided By: The Effingham Daily News
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