Athens loses a teen and a father in double-fatality collision          Send a link to a friend

[August 27, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Rescue personnel were called to the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Route 29 at 12:20 on Sunday afternoon. Joshua G. Hoffman, 16, of Springfield and Brian L. Bell, 44, of Athens were each the sole occupant drivers of the vehicles.

Hoffman was driving a maroon 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. He was southbound on Route 29 at North Wind Lane.

Bell was driving a red 1997 Ford F250. He was traveling northbound on Route 29, approaching North Wind Lane.

The vehicles collided, causing the Bell vehicle to enter the east ditch and overturn onto its roof. Hoffman's vehicle came to rest facing west in the center of the roadway.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by personnel from the Sangamon County Coroner's Office. They were extricated from their vehicles by rescue personnel.

State police were assisted by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department, Athens Police Department, Athens Fire and Rescue, Sherman Police Department, Sherman Fire and Rescue, Life Star Ambulance, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

[Illinois State Police; LDN]

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