ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Three Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 70 eastbound at Milepost 55, Mulberry Grove, Fayette County
WHEN: August 20, 2021, at 9:19 a.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – White 2020 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer
Unit 2 – Blue 2005 Chevrolet Pickup pulling a trailer containing a car.
Unit 3 – White 2008 Honda Odyssey
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Bill Lard, a 55-year-old male from Los Angeles, CA - Airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries.
Unit 2 – Ronald Grant, a 31-year-old male from Pleasant Hope, MO -Refused medical attention.
Unit 3 – A 19-year-old male from Brick, NJ – Deceased (Name withheld pending next of kin notification).
PASSENGERS: Unit 2 – Mariah S. Grant, a 29-year-old female from Pleasant Hope, MO – Refused medical attention.
Unit 3 – A 20-year-old female from Brick, NJ – Deceased (Name withheld pending next of kin notification).
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70, near mile post 55. Units 2 and 3 were traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at the same location. Unit 1 left the roadway to the left and traveled through the median. Unit 1 struck the trailer of Unit 2. Unit 1 then struck Unit 3, causing both units to skid into the south ditch. The driver of Unit 1 was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries. The driver and passenger of Unit 2 refused medical attention. The driver and passenger of Unit 3 were pronounced deceased on scene. The ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is continuing the investigation. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Improper Lane Use and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.