Illinois State Police crime unit activated to investigate fatal crash near Highland

A head-on collision near Highland on Thursday night left one driver dead and sent another to the hospital with serious injuries.

The crash is being investigated by the Illinois State Police, including its crime unit, according to a statement emailed early Friday evening by Trooper Josh Korando, public information officer for Troop 8.

“Neither vehicle had passengers,” Korando stated. “The investigators are not ready to release the names of the drivers yet.”

Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn said he’s leaving it up to the Illinois State Police to identify the person who was killed out of respect for its investigation.

Here are preliminary details provided in the statement:

• The crash occurred at 9:12 p.m. on Illinois 143 at Wellen Road.
• A black 2020 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling east on Illinois 143, and a blue 2014 Ford Mustang was traveling west.
• The Jetta drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck the Mustang head-on.
• The Jetta’s driver was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries.
• The Mustang’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is being done by the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit and Division of Criminal Investigation for Zone 6, according to the statement.

This story was originally published March 3, 2023 at 7:21 PM.