Man, 37, Dies After Extricated From 2-Car Crash In Wilton Township

WILTON TOWNSHIP, IL — A 37-year-old Peotone man died Thursday evening following a two-car crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road near Cedar Road in Wilton Township, the Will County Sheriff's Office said Friday afternoon.

Will County Sheriff's deputies were called to Wilmington-Peotone Road, one mile east of Cedar Road, at 4:23 p.m. Thursday for a report of a two-vehicle crash with passenger entrapment. The Will County Coroner's Office originally described the location as Peotone Township, but Manhattan Fire Protection District officials clarified the crash occurred in Wilton Township.

Initial reports indicate that a 21-year-old woman driving a Ford Escape was traveling eastbound on Wilmington-Peotone Road, when she missed her turn at Cedar Road. As she continued down Wilmington-Peotone, she began to turn into a farm field entryway to turn around, the sheriff's office said.

She then crossed in front of a Lincoln MKX that was traveling westbound. Both vehicles sustained major front end damage. A 12-year-old girl in the backseat of the Ford Escape was trapped inside and had to be extricated by the Manhattan Fire Protection.

Both driver and passenger were transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee. The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The 12-year-old was checked by medical staff and was airlifted to Chicago Lurie's Children's Hospital. Her injuries and condition are unknown at this time.

The 68-year-old woman driving the Lincoln and the 37-year-old man in the front passenger seat both suffered injuries. They were transported to Silver Cross Hospital, where the driver was treated for severe hand injuries and further testing.

Prior to being taken to the hospital, the front seat passenger, identified as Phillip Murray 37, of Peotone, was extricated from the vehicle after suffering major injuries. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Murray died from his injuries. He was pronounced dead at 5:36 p.m, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

At this time, one citation was issued to the driver of the Ford Escape for improper lane usage. The Sheriff's Traffic Unit is continuing their reconstruction of the crash and processing evidence.

Will County Sheriff's police are investigating.