Wood River, IL (July 3, 2025) — A crash on Thursday morning, July 3, in Wood River claimed the lives of two people and left a suspect injured, authorities said.
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At approximately 10:50 a.m. on July 3, a Wood River Police Department officer attempted to stop a vehicle at Sixth Street and Edwardsville Road. The driver, the sole occupant, fled despite the officer activating emergency lights, according to police.
Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the suspect drove recklessly through a business parking lot, jumped a curb, and continued southbound on Sixth Street, ignoring multiple traffic control devices. He said the vehicle then turned westbound onto Illinois Route 143 and ran a solid red light at the intersection with Illinois Route 3. There, it collided with a northbound vehicle carrying two occupants.
The impact forced both vehicles into a ravine on the northwest side of the intersection. The struck vehicle caught fire immediately. Both occupants were pronounced dead by Madison County Coroner Nick Novacich.
Due to injuries sustained in the crash, the suspect was airlifted to a hospital in the St. Louis area for treatment. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells requested the Illinois State Police take over the investigation and conduct accident reconstruction, citing his department’s involvement. The intersection remained closed for several hours with assistance from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
We want to offer our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims. Our thoughts are also with the injured victims in hopes of their full recovery.
Major Car Accidents in Illinois
Fatal accidents remain a tragic and all-too-common occurrence in Illinois, particularly throughout the greater Chicagoland area. Every year, thousands of individuals suffer serious or fatal injuries due to the careless or reckless actions of others—whether it’s a distracted driver, a negligent trucking company, a train operator, or even a vehicle manufacturer.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you may have legal options for holding the responsible party accountable. At Ankin Law, our dedicated wrongful death attorneys have decades of experience representing grieving families across Illinois in their pursuit of justice and financial recovery.
As one of the largest and most respected personal injury firms in the state, we have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our team of wrongful death lawyers and support professionals brings together deep legal knowledge, proven courtroom experience, and a compassionate approach to every case.
We work with respected medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and investigators to help build strong, evidence-backed claims on your behalf. Whether you’re seeking compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, or emotional suffering, we are committed to fighting for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Call 844-600-0000 for a free consultation with our experienced legal team, and let Ankin Law guide you through your options during this difficult time.
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 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 this accident scene.
