PEOTONE, IL — Two people were killed and several others were injured on Friday in a crash involving a van and a tractor-trailer at a PEOTONE intersection, according to authorities.
The crash occurred around 7:35 p.m. at the intersection of Route 50 and County Line Road, Manhattan fire officials said in a statement. Initial reports indicated that multiple people were trapped in one of the vehicles following the collision.
When fire crews arrived, they discovered the van and the semi-truck had sustained significant damage, and seven people were trapped inside the van.
After firefighters extricated them from the wreckage, six occupants were taken to area hospitals for treatment, two of whom were listed in critical condition. One person was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to officials, one of the critical victims later died at the hospital. A child was also airlifted to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
The conditions of the remaining occupants are unknown.
“This crash represents another serious and fatal incident at the intersection of Route 50 and County Line Road, a location that continues to present significant safety concerns for motorists and emergency responders,” Manhattan fire officials said in a release. “The Manhattan Fire Protection District continues to work with legislators and local agencies to expedite safety improvements at this intersection.”
Crews remained on scene for several hours assisting Illinois State Police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Editor’s Note: A previous headline stated that one person died in the crash. The headline has been updated to reflect the correct number of fatalities.