COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Two individuals lost their lives in two different car accidents that occurred near the same spot on Thursday evening in Coles County.
Coroner Ed Schniers informed WCIA that the incidents happened along Illinois Route 16 eastbound, situated between Mattoon and Charleston. Each crash resulted in a fatality.
Details are limited about the first crash, but Schniers said it happened east of Lerna Road near the Coles County Memorial Airport.
The second accident took place at Lerna Road, according to Schniers, involving a truck belonging to the Illinois Department of Transportation. This truck was obstructing Route 16 while responding to the initial crash when it was struck by another vehicle, igniting a fire.
The driver of that car was killed, but none of the IDOT workers manning that truck were hurt, Schniers said.
WCIA reached out to IDOT, the Illinois State Police and the Mattoon Fire Department to learn more. IDOT directed us to ISP, who said Mattoon Police handled the crash; WCIA reached out to the Mattoon Police Department and has not heard back yet. Mattoon Fire also has not responded yet.
