ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Crash

WHERE:                   US 50 @ Richland County 300E

WHEN:                      May 25, 2020 at 10:37 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – 1998 Blue Harley Davidson Motorcycle

                                    Unit 2 – 1984 Red Peterbilt Truck Tractor Semi Trailer Combination

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Caleb Cochran, 31 year old male from Clay City, IL (airlifted to a regional hospital with life threatening injuries)

                                    Unit 2- Christopher McCarthy, 35 year old male from Rinard, IL

PASSENGER:           Unit 1- Jaime Wilkin, 41, female, Clay City, IL (airlifted to a regional hospital with life threatening injuries)

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 2 was eastbound on US Route 50 approaching 300E in Richland County.  Unit 1 was also eastbound, directly behind Unit 2.  The driver of Unit 2 activated his turn signal and began to slow down, moving into the westbound lane in order to turn right onto County Road 300E.  The driver of Unit 1 attempted to pass Unit 2 on the right side.  Unit 1 struck Unit 2 in the center of the passenger side. Both the driver and passenger of Unit 1 were airlifted to a regional hospital with life threatening injuries. The roadway was closed for approximately 1 hour during the crash investigation.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 Driver was cited for Improper Passing, Operating a Vehicle without Insurance, Driving with Expired Registration and Improper Use of Registration.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.