Cheryl O. Culver, 67, of Summerfield, Illinois, was killed Tuesday night when her vehicle was involved in a multi-car wreck on Highway 50. The wreck ultimate involved a semi-truck and four passenger vehicles, and injured 4 other people.
The incident reportedly started at about 9 p.m. when several 911 calls were placed reporting either a domestic disturbance or a crash involving the same truck, on the 100 block of East Highway 50. One of the callers stated that they saw a woman jump out of the semi-truck. This woman was reportedly later found injured in the same area by police, and was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Shortly afterwards many other 911 calls were placed reporting a speeding semi-truck in the same area, as well as multiple collisions.
According to police, the scene of the accident stretched for about a quarter of a mile and spread over all three lanes of traffic. Ms. Culver’s car, a Ford Escape, was found overturned in a ditch. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:30 p.m. Three other vehicles were damaged by flying debris. Further details of how the wreck unfolded have not yet been made available.
The truck driver was taken to the hospital via EMS with non-life-threatening injuries. He was later taken into police custody for questioning pending formal charges. The highway itself was shut down for about 9 hours, until 7:30 a.m., after Illinois State Police finished their reconstruction of the wreck. An investigation remains ongoing by the Illinois State Police and the Metro-East Crash Assistance Team.