UPDATE: One dead after traffic accident closes highway south of Chrisman

Sam Lisec, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
·1 min read

Mar. 15—EDGAR COUNTY — One person is dead after a two-unit, head-on crash Friday afternoon on Illinois 1 south of Chrisman.

Illinois State police confirmed that the crash occurred around 12:37 p.m. on Illinois 1 near 1960 East Road in Edgar County.

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett said James H. Lutz, 70, of rural Chrisman, died at the scene.

Barrett said evidence at the scene and information provided by witnesses shows that a white 2014 Ford F150 was traveling northbound when for unknown reasons the vehicle crossed the center lane and struck the southbound Black 2001 Chevrolet Silverado truck driven by Lutz.

Lutz's truck left the roadway and came to rest in a ditch on the west side of the highway. The Ford F150 continued to travel north for a short distance and came to rest in the southbound lane of the highway.

The driver of the Ford truck was airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital and on Friday was listed in serious condition.

The accident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, Edgar County Sheriff's department, and the Edgar County Coroner.