COLLINSVILLE — The body of a Collinsville man has been found in a ditch off Belt Line Road, while two people went to the hospital after being struck by cars Wednesday night.

Police were called at about 5:30 p.m. on reports of a body lying in a ditch near a Burger King close to the intersection of Illinois 157 and Belt Line Road.

The man was declared dead at the scene. He apparently had been lying in the ditch for several days, and was not visible from the street, according to Assistant Chief Tom Coppotelli.

Police have discovered the man's identity, but have not released his name pending notification of his relatives. However, they did say he was a black man in his 20s who was a resident of Collinsville.

It was not immediately apparent what caused the man's death, Coppotelli said. He said more information would be released once the Madison County Coroner's Office gave its report.

At the same time, two people were struck by cars in unrelated incidents Wednesday evening. One person was struck on Simpson Place near the Fairmount Racetrack, and one was struck on Spring Street off Vandalia Street, Coppotelli said.

Neither case was a hit-and-run, but Coppotelli did not know if charges would be pressed. Both people were transported to area hospitals, but their names and the severity of their injuries were not immediately known.

Contact reporter Elizabeth Donald at edonald@bnd.com or 239-2501.