LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
CHRISMAN – A fateful, head-on collision occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15, resulting in the death of a Chrisman resident.
Two vehicles collided on Illinois Route 1, approximately one quarter mile north of 1960th Road (Edgar-Bloomfield Road). The driver of one vehicle, a black 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, was declared dead on the scene and the driver of a white, 2014 Ford F-150 required the assistance of first responders and paramedics to exit their vehicle.
James H. Lutz, 70, of rural Chrisman was pronounced dead at the scene by Edgar County Coroner, Scott Barrett.
According to Illinois State Police (ISP), who arrived on the scene within two hours of the initial crash, the individual with injuries was airlifted to receive medical attention for “life threatening injuries.” Their status is not currently known.
An investigation by the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department and ISP closed Illinois Route 1 in both directions for several hours. Traffic was rerouted with support from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Evidence at the scene and information provided by witnesses revealed the Ford F-150 was traveling northbound when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle crossed the center lane and struck the southbound traveling Silverado truck driven by Lutz.
Following the accident, Lutz’s truck left the roadway, flipping and scattering a variety of items across both lanes, before coming to rest in a ditch on the west side of the highway.
The northbound Ford F-150 continued to travel north for a short distance and came to rest in the southbound lane of the highway.
The accident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, Edgar County Sheriff’s Department and the Edgar County Coroner.
This is a developing story. The Prairie Press will provide additional information when it becomes available.