Grundy County

1 Person Killed After Fiery Crash Closes Bridge Over Illinois River; Driver Cited: Police

Traffic in both directions was rerouted for several hours s a result of the crash

One person is dead and multiple others injured after a fiery crash closed a major bridge over the Illinois River in suburban Morris, according to officials.

Just before 5 p.m., a vehicle stalled on a bridge on Illinois Route 47, and another vehicle parked behind it, with the occupant getting out of the car to provide assistance, according to Morris police. 

Authorities say that a third vehicle then crashed into the other two cars. The stalled vehicle burst into flames, and the fire spread to the other two cars, police said. 

One man, who was under the hood of the stalled vehicle at the time of the crash, was airlifted from the scene to be treated for serious injuries but was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital, police said. At least three other people were also injured in the crash, and at least one of the victims was a child, according to authorities. 

All injured victims were transported to local hospitals, but their conditions were unknown as of Monday morning. 

Morris Deputy Chief Chad Skelton said the driver of the third vehicle was cited.

According to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, traffic in both directions on Illinois Route 47 was stopped from going over the bridge after a vehicle accident took place Sunday afternoon.

The bridge remained closed for several hours, but has since reopened. 

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