Coroner releases IDs of two killed in late-night metro-east crash

Two women killed in a late-night two-vehicle crash in Pontoon Beach have been identified by the Madison County coroner.

Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich said Janecia N. Gardner, 32, of Pontoon Beach and La Traya N. Hughes, 17, of Alton died after the crash, reported about 11:27 p.m. Saturday north of 2188 Illinois Route 111.

Gardner was pronounced dead at 12:19 a.m. Sunday and Hughes at 12:21 a.m. Sunday, said coroner’s investigator Samual T. Stone. Both were passengers, the coroner’s office said.

The cause of the crash is being investigated.

The drivers were treated at the scene and taken to area hospitals; their conditions were not released.

Autopsies were conducted and toxicology results are pending, the coroner’s office said. The Pontoon Beach Police Department, the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Madison County Coroner’s Office are investigating.

Funeral arrangements for Gardner are pending at Officer Funeral Home in East St. Louis. Arrangements for Hughes are pending at Harrison Funeral Home in Alton.