Belleville man killed in collision between SUV and tractor-trailer in Jersey County

A Belleville man was killed in a two-vehicle accident on Illinois 67 in Jersey County Wednesday afternoon.

Illinois State Police identified the victim as John W. Hawkins, 72, a news release states.

Hawkins was a passenger in an SUV driven by Paul J. Hawkins, 46, of St. Louis. Paul Hawkins was injured and taken to an area hospital, according to the release.

The crash between the Hawkins vehicle and a tractor-trailer happened about 3 p.m.

State police said the Hawkins vehicle tried to cut between the tractor-trailer and another vehicle traveling in the slow lane. The Hawkins SUV then struck the passenger-side rear of the trailer and went off the road, coming to rest against a sign, the release states.

The accident investigation is continuing, state police said.