ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Four Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 70 westbound at Milepost 91, Effingham, Effingham County.
WHEN: March 18, 2021 at 11:04 a.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – White 2014 Dodge Caravan
Unit 2 – Maroon 2016 GMC SUV
Unit 3 – Black 2015 Toyota Corolla
Unit 4 – White 2015 Chevrolet SUV
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Eugene E. Goers, an 85-year-old male from Saint Elmo, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.
Unit 2 – Janet S. Bushue, a 55-year-old female from Altamont, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.
Unit 3 – Jesus G. Gomez-Lara, a 27-year-old male from Indianapolis, IN – Refused medical attention.
Unit 4 – Carrie R. Smith, a 40-year-old female from Tipp City, OH – Refused medical attention.
PASSENGERS: Unit 1 – Evadine B. Goers, an 86-year-old female from Saint Elmo, IL – Pronounced deceased.
Unit 3 – Andrea Rodriguez, 22-year-old female from Indianapolis, IN – Refused medical attention.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: All units were traveling westbound on Interstate 70 at Milepost 91. Units 2, 3, and 4 were slowing in traffic. Unit 1 failed to slow and struck the rear of Unit 2. Unit 1 pushed Unit 2 into the rear of Unit 3 and then Unit 3 into the rear of Unit 4. The drivers of Unit 1 and 2 were transported by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased. All other parties involved refused medical attention. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was issued a citation for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash. The driver of Unit 3 was issued a citation for Driving While License Suspended.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.