Traffic crash south of Stonefort kills one, sends three to hospital

Three vehicles were involved in a fatal traffic crash south of Stonefort on US Rt. 45 in Johnson County on Wednesday morning that killed one and sent three to a local hospital.

Ronald H. Parker, 58, of Dawson Springs, Kentucky, was fatally injured in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene by the Johnson County Coroner. Christopher F. Jones, 47, of Johnston City, Amy J. Sturms, 31, of Norris City, and Amy Duncan, 31, of Norris City, were transported to a local hospital with major injuries.

A preliminary report from Illinois State Police said a Ford van, driven by Sturms, was stopped at the direction of a flag person at a construction zone at the site of the crash. A 2003 Freightliner semi-truck, driven by Jones, was coming to a stop behind the van. A 2007 Freightliner semi-truck, driven by Parker, approached from behind, and failing to slow down, struck the rear of a grain hopper the first semi-truck was hauling. The first semi-truck was pushed into the rear of the van.

All three vehicles received major damage and were towed from the scene.

A detour was set up between US 45 from Stonefort to Rt. 166. The detour remained in effect throughout the day on Wednesday, and was cleared around 8 p.m.