ISP reports one deceased in Tuesday evening crash near Emden

 

[October 14, 2021] 

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 9.

WHAT: Three Unit Fatal Crash

WHERE: US Route 136 at 700th Avenue, Logan County

WHEN: Oct. 12, 2021 at approximately 7:19 p.m.

VEHICLES:
Unit 1 – John Deere Tractor pulling two gravity wagons

Unit 2 – 2013 Chevrolet Truck

Unit 3 – 2017 Freightliner Truck Tractor

DRIVERS:
Unit 1 – John A. Harmsen, 34-year-old male from Lincoln, IL

Unit 2 – 42-year-old male from San Jose, IL (Deceased)

Unit 3 – Fredrick W. Eitenmiller, 58-year-old male from Pekin, IL

PRELIMINARY:
Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on US Route 136 near 700th Ave.

Unit 2 was traveling westbound approaching Unit 1 from behind.

Unit 2 struck the left rear portion of wagon number two being pulled by Unit 1.

After separating from the wagon, Unit 2 was redirected into the eastbound lane where it was struck by Unit 3.

The driver of Unit 2 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Logan County Coroner’s Office. US Route 136 was closed for approximately eight hours while Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU) investigated the crash.

The Logan County Coroner will release further information after next of kin notifications are made.

CHARGES: Pending Investigation

The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

[ISP Public Information Office]