Belleville man killed when car strikes embankment and overturns, authorities report

A Belleville man was killed early Saturday when his car struck an embankment and overturned in East St. Louis, authorities said.

John J. Ledell, 68, of the 500 block of 41st Street, was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:50 a.m., said St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

The accident happened on St. Clair Avenue, east of 71st Street, Illinois State Police said in a news release.

The driver of the VW Beetle, later identified as Ledell, lost control and veered onto the right gravel shoulder, the release states.

He attempted to regain control but over-corrected, crossing the eastbound lanes of St. Clair Avenue, striking the embankment on the south side of the roadway and flipping upside down, the release states.

This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 1:02 PM.