Second Fatality Confirmed Following Multi-Vehicle Collision on I-57 in Coles County

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COLES COUNTY, Ill. — Tragedy has struck once more in Coles County as a second individual has succumbed to injuries from a severe seven-vehicle collision that occurred last weekend.

On December 13, hazardous winter weather conditions rendered the roads in Central Illinois extremely slippery. In response, Illinois State Police had previously informed WCIA that they were dealing with numerous accidents along I-57, urging drivers to decelerate and avoid the vicinity of exit 203 near Arcola.

Earlier reports confirmed a chaotic scene in which seven vehicles were involved, resulting in one fatality at the crash site and another person being rushed to a nearby hospital.

According to State Police, the incident unfolded just before 10 a.m. at milepost 193. The collision, described as a “seven-unit, fatal traffic crash,” involved five commercial vehicles and two passenger vehicles. As a result, the southbound lanes of I-57 were closed at milepost 203, with traffic being diverted off the interstate. The closure lasted until 5:35 p.m. that day.

Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers previously identified 43-year-old Matthew A. Siemer of Chicago as the person who died at the scene of the crash. He added that Siemer’s wife was also hurt and had to be taken to the Carle Hospital in Urbana.

A week later, Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer announced that she had also succumbed to her injuries. Brauer identified her as 42-year-old Alicia J. Barks of Chicago. Barks was pronounced dead at 11:48 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Brauer said an autopsy was scheduled, and both the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and State Police are continuing to investigate.

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Second Fatality Confirmed Following Multi-Vehicle Collision on I-57 in Coles County

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Second Fatality Confirmed Following Multi-Vehicle Collision on I-57 in Coles County

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