Southern Illinois residents know that seat belts are intended to keep us safe during a car accident. However, if high speeds are involved or depending on the angle of impact, a seatbelt may not be enough. Sadly, this was the situation last week in which a car was hit by an SUV. All parties involved were wearing their seatbelts, yet serious injuries resulted, and a 6-year-old girl lost her life.
According to a news report, a car was travelling westbound on Park Street Road in Du Quoin when it was struck by an SUV traveling southbound on Illinois 148. Apparently, the SUV did not stop at the intersection’s stop sign and drove into the path of the oncoming car.
Both vehicles had adults and children inside. The car’s occupants, two adults and two young children, ages 6 and 7, were all seriously injured and taken to separate hospitals in the area. The 6-year-old girl later succumbed to her injuries. The condition of the others was not reported.
The SUV’s occupants also had two adults and two children, ages 2 and 1. The adult passenger was seriously injured, and the other three suffered minor injuries. They, too, were taken to separate hospitals.
Multiple first responders and ambulances arrived at the scene to give medical treatment to the eight injured people. It was reported that nurses and EMTs also stopped to help. The road was blocked for more than two hours while the injured were taken for medical treatment and the wreckage was cleared.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families in this time of recovery and grief.
Source: The Southern, “Child fatally injured in crash,” March 14, 2012