SUV crash into Vermilion River leaves two people hospitalized

Posted on March 11, 2019
Illinois State Police said two people were rescued from an SUV after driving off I-55 near Pontiac into the Vermilion River. (Katherine Murphy/WJBC)

 

By Neil Doyle

PONTIAC – A child is in critical condition and a woman has been hospitalized after an SUV drove off I-55 into the Vermilion River near Pontiac.

Illinois State Police said initial reports indicate the car left the roadway Monday at 12:47 p.m. near mile marker 198 for unknown reasons and entered the river.

ISP said the child and woman were rescued and transported to area hospitals.  Our news partner WMBD-TV reports the child is in critical condition and is being treated at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

A source familiar with the situation said there were no fatalities.

Southbound lanes of I-55 were closed between exits 201 and 197 and rerouted to Route 66.

ISP are investigating the accident.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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