ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Fatality Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 57 Southbound at Milepost 128.5, Marion County

WHEN:                      Aug. 19, 2020 at 4:50 p.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2003 Silver Mercury Grand Marquis

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Ezell Smith, 41 year old male from Green Bay, WI - Deceased

PASSENGER:           Unit 1- Sherie Simmons, 40 year old female from Sledge, MS - Deceased

                                    Unit 1- Mattie Simmons, 63 year old female from Sledge, MS - Deceased

                                    Unit 1- 2 year old female from Carthage, MS - Flown to a regional hospital with injuries

                                    Unit 1- 11 month old female from Carthage, MS - Flown to a regional hospital with injuries

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on Interstate 57 near milepost 128.5 in Marion County. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 left the roadway to the right and struck a tree head on. The driver and two adult passengers were pronounced deceased on scene by the Marion County Coroner. Two juvenile passengers were flown to a regional hospital for treatment of their injuries. This crash is still under investigation and no further details are available at this time.