CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL — A head-on collision on Interstate 57 resulted in two fatalities late Saturday night.
Authorities identified the victims as Shirley M. Klitzing, 83, of Brownstown, and Richard P. Messerve, 68, of Mayer, Arizona. The crash occurred at 10:28 p.m. when Klitzing drove southbound in the northbound lanes and collided with Messerve’s semi tractor-trailer.
The impact of the collision caused Klitzing’s vehicle to spin around the truck, which subsequently overturned and struck a guardrail. Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles, according to the Illinois State Police.
Klitzing suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:44 a.m. Sunday. Messerve was pronounced dead at the scene.
Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup reported that no autopsy will be performed on Klitzing. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with no details regarding road conditions or additional factors released at this time.