36-year-old Freeburg man dead after crash on I-255 in St. Clair County

One driver died as a result of a Thursday afternoon crash on I-255 near I-64 and the East St. Louis exit.

According to the Illinois State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 2:49 p.m. A passenger vehicle was travelling southbound when it left the roadway, crossed the median and entered the northbound lanes, striking another passenger vehicle head-on.

St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said Casey Watt, 36, of Freeburg, was pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital in Belleville at 3:59 p.m. Thursday.

The driver of the vehicle that crossed the median was declared dead. It’s not clear why the vehicle crossed the median and entered the opposite lane of traffic. The driver travelling northbound was transported to an area hospital, state police added.

As of 5:30 p.m., Illinois State Police reported that northbound lanes were still shut down and traffic was being diverted onto I-64. The deceased driver’s identity has not been released.

This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 5:49 PM.