Police officer remains in serious condition after deadly crash

The Pontoon Beach officer involved in a fatal head-on crash on Thursday morning remained hospitalized Friday.

The unnamed officer in serious condition, according to Illinois State Police Trooper Calvin Dye Jr. He was airlifted to the hospital after the crash.

Daniel Bell, 33, of South Roxana, was declared dead at the accident on Illinois 111 just south of New Poag Road. A witness said his white Ford Ranger had crossed into oncoming traffic, hit the Pontoon Beach officer’s vehicle, and the truck rolled over and burst into flames.

The Madison County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Thursday afternoon. Bell died of blunt force trauma from crash-related injuries, the coroner said, and are awaiting toxicology results.

Marks Mortuary of Wood River is handling arrangements, which are still pending.

The officer has been with Pontoon Beach for one year and served in South Roxana for five years prior to that.

This story was originally published January 26, 2018 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Police officer remains in serious condition after deadly crash."