Many residents of St. Clair County rise early each day of the week and head to jobs or school. The story is the same for people in every state and every town. For most, the commute to work is typically mundane and uneventful. Unfortunately, however, what starts as a normal commute can end in tragedy. Recently, a 62-year-old Prairie du Roacher woman was injured, and a 59-year-old man from Baldwin, Illinois, was killed in a car accident during just such a morning commute.
The accident took place shortly after 6 a.m. when the 59-year-old man had completed his job delivering newspapers for the Belleville News-Democrat. Police have confirmed that the man drifted across the center line, colliding head-on with the 62-year-old woman’s SUV. The car accident occurred just south of Route 3 in Monroe County on Kaskaskia Road. The woman was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Emergency rescuers made attempts to free the man from his vehicle, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.
News reports did not give indication as to what circumstances may have led to the accident. Nor has there been word as to the extent of the woman’s injuries. St. Clair County residents who experience car accidents like this one may initially be left with more questions than answers. However, it might be beneficial for victims to learn that there are a host of options available for determining causes in the event of such a sad and fatal accident. In any case, our hearts go out to the victims and their families.
Source: stltoday.com, “Illinois driver killed in head-on crash near Waterloo,” Nov. 23, 2011