3 dead after SUV hits tree, catches fire in Kankakee
Share and Follow


KANKAKEE, Ill. (WGN) — Three people are dead after an SUV left the road in Kankakee and hit a tree, causing the vehicle to be engulfed in flames, according to the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office (KCCO).

Kankakee County Coroner Robert Gessner said the KCCO was called to the scene of a motor vehicle fatality in the 900 block of South Cobb Boulevard around 1:15 a.m. Sunday.

KCCO’s preliminary findings showed that a 2008 GMC Yukon left the roadway and hit a tree. After the initial impact, the SUV caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames, according to the Kankakee Fire and Police Departments. Officers on scene tried to pull the vehicle’s occupants to safety, but were unable to overcome how strong the fire had become.

All three occupants in the vehicle—45-year-old Kiyantis Riley, 48-year-old Philip Birdsong and 41-year-old Jeffrey Clark II—were from Kankakee and died from their injuries.

The incident remains under investigation by the KCCO, KCPD and Illinois State Police Troop 5.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Tragic Christmas Eve Fire Claims One Life on Merritt Island

A somber Christmas Eve unfolded in a community within Brevard County, Florida,…

Haven of Mercy Provides Holiday Shelter for Many in Need

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Haven of Mercy extends a warm…

Unveiling the Mystery: The Truth Behind the Star of Bethlehem

(NewsNation) — The Star of Bethlehem has been a source of intrigue…

Trooper Injured During High-Speed I-95 Chase in Brevard; Two Suspects Apprehended

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – On Christmas morning, authorities in Brevard County halted…

Tragic Loss for Biker Community: 21-Year-Old’s Fatal Rockledge Crash Sparks Mourning

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – Heartbreak has struck the community as they mourn the…

44 Alchemy Smoke Shop Spreads Holiday Cheer by Donating Gifts to Over 100 Local Children

In Bristol, Virginia, the spirit of giving took center stage this holiday…

Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Razak Found Guilty in High-Profile 1MDB Corruption Case

PUTRAJAYA – In a significant development, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak…

Knoxville Detainment Shocks Community: Friend Reveals Impact on Family’s Life

A Knoxville man, who was deported in defiance of a federal judge’s…