Family announces vigil, funeral service for teen killed in head-on crash near Highland
Josh Melton loved his blue Mustang and hated a dirty car, so the family of the Highland teenager, who was killed in a car crash Thursday night, are suggesting that friends honor him by going to a “touchless” car wash.
They also held a public candlelight vigil on Sunday evening, March 5. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, and a funeral service is scheduled for Friday, March 10.
On Friday, March 3, the Illinois State Police provided some information about a head-on collision that occurred just after 9 p.m. Thursday on Illinois 143 at Wellen Road, northwest of Highland.
One of the drivers was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other driver was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries, according to Trooper Josh Korando, public information officer for Troop 8. The family identified the deceased as Melton, 18, of Highland, formerly of St. Jacob.
“Neither vehicle had passengers,” Korando stated in an email on Friday. “The investigators are not ready to release the names of the drivers yet.”
The investigation is being handled by the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit and Division of Criminal Investigation for Zone 6.
Melton graduated from Triad High School in 2022 and worked at Aggressive Graphics in Highland, according to his obituary.
“He enjoyed drifting, dirt track racing and hanging with his friends,” it states. “Most of all he loved his family.”
Sunday’s vigil was held at Highland Silver Lake Park. People were encouraged to bring candles and share stories about Melton.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Aebischer-Richeson Funeral Home in St. Jacob. Friends also may call an hour before the 11 a.m. funeral service on Friday with the Rev. Dan Perry officiating.
The family encourages people to wear “Joshua attire” (jeans and hoodies or car-themed or racing shirts) if desired.
Melton is survived by his parents, Brenda Johnson and Aaron Melton, sisters Haley Heinz and Mariah Melton, stepbrother William Fetsch and stepsister, Abby Fetsch.
The fatal accident occurred at 9:12 p.m. Thursday. A black 2020 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling east and a blue 2014 Ford Mustang was traveling west on Illinois 143 when the Jetta drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck the Mustang head-on, according to Korando.
This story was originally published March 5, 2023 at 1:26 PM.
