Cooksville, IL (May 20, 2026) – A SUV and a minivan collision has killed three people at the intersection of Route 9 and 2600 East Road in Cooksville on Sunday, May 17. Emergency units from multiple agencies responded to the scene around 3:27 p.m.
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Beth Brucker, 58, of Ellsworth, who drove the SUV, and Hui-Lan Chen Chiang, 82, of Millbrae, California, a rear passenger in the minivan, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The McLean County Coroner confirmed that preliminary autopsies indicate both died from multiple injuries.
An 86-year-old man from Millbrae, California, who had been a front seat occupant in the minivan, was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at 1:49 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the McLean County Coroner’s Office.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of Beth Brucker, Hui-Lan Chen Chiang, and the third person who lost their life in this accident.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Crash in Cooksville, IL?
In Illinois, when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence in a traffic collision, certain family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act generally allows a surviving spouse, children, or other next of kin to seek compensation for the losses caused by the death. This applies even when multiple people are killed in the same crash, meaning each victim’s family may have a separate and independent claim.
Rural intersections in central Illinois carry significant risk, particularly where state highways cross county roads with limited signage or sight lines. Illinois Route 9 is a major east-west corridor running through McLean County, connecting Bloomington-Normal to communities like LeRoy, Cooksville, and Pontiac. Crashes at uncontrolled or lightly controlled rural crossings frequently result in severe outcomes due to the speeds involved.
Families that pursue a wrongful death claim could be eligible to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional suffering caused by losing a loved one. A wrongful death attorney can review the findings of the ongoing investigation, assess the evidence, and explain what options may apply.
Illinois also allows a separate survival action, which covers damages the deceased person experienced between the time of the crash and the time of death. These damages include pain and suffering, for example.
At Ankin Law, we work with families who have lost someone in serious traffic collisions across Illinois. When a crash takes multiple lives, the legal process can feel overwhelming and families commonly have questions that deserve clear, straightforward answers.
To speak with someone about your family’s options, call our team at Ankin Law at (844) 600-0000. We can walk you through what a wrongful death claim involves, what types of compensation may be available, and what steps may apply to your specific situation.
Note: We use outside sources such as news reports, police reports, social media platforms, and first-hand or eyewitness accounts about accidents that happen throughout the state of Illinois. We have not verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident. Please contact Ankin Law, LLC, if you locate any incorrect information in our post. We will correct it immediately or remove a post if requested.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a solicitation for business. It’s vital to understand that these posts do not offer legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes can differ based on individual circumstances. For personalized legal guidance, please reach out directly to Ankin Law, LLC. The featured image used in this post was not taken at the accident scene.
