One dead after fatal U.S. 45 wreck

CARRIER MILLS - A 64-year-old Paducah, Kentucky man died Monday after after his vehicle hit a tree just south of Carrier Mills on U.S. 45.

According to an Illinois State Police District 19 news release, the accident occurred at about 1 p.m. on northbound U.S. 45, when the vehicle ran off the west side of the roadway as he attempted to pass another vehicle at a high rate of speed.

The black 2007 Chevrolet minivan then struck a tree.

The victim had not been identified as of Monday afternoon, pending notification of his family, police said.

ISP attributed the accident to improper lane usage and speeding. Carrier Mills firefighters responded to the accident, and the man was pronounced dead by Deputy Coroner Tracy Felty.

Illinois State Police, Saline County Sheriff's Department, Carrier Mills Fire Department, Transcare Ambulance, Saline County Ambulance and Winters Towing were among those at the scene of the wreck.

Emergency responders closed that stretch of U.S. 45.

No other details were available by press time.