Four Teens Killed in Crash Near Middletown

[February 16, 2008]  Officials are still piecing together what happened last night that led to the death of four young people. There were six persons all believed to be between the ages of 18 – 20 years-old traveling in an extended pickup truck when it left the roadway and struck a tree near Middletown. Then the vehicle caught fire. The exact time of the crash is unknown, however the first call came at 11:29 p.m.

The two survivors were taken to Memorial Medical Hospital, Springfield. They were in fair condition. “They were very lucky,” Logan County Coroner Bob Thomas said.

The families have been notified, however the identities are not being released yet to give families some time. Thomas said that the families all knew each other and are in a state of shock. Friends are helping them.

One of the deceased was from Taylorville in Christian County. The Christian County coroner has contacted her parents.

All of the other vehicle occupants were from Logan County.

The crash occurred in the 200 block of 1300th Street, east of Middletown.

The Logan County Sheriffs Department, Illinois State Police and corners office are investigating. ISP is doing a total station investigation, which includes measure skid marks, and collecting other scene details and entering them into a computer system.

[LDN]