Fatal Crash on Route 51 Just North of Shobonier

A northern Illinois man was fatally injured in a collision involving a motor home pulling a car and a pickup truck towing a trailer in Fayette County.

The motor home driven by 78-year-old James Allen Brown of Dixon was southbound on US Rt. 51, 1 mile north of Shobonier, when it crossed the center line and the northbound lane and sideswiped a black pickup towing an enclosed trailer driven by 72-year-old Lewis Nelson of Mulberry Grove. The crash happened just before 4:30pm Friday.

The sideswipe impact was on the grassy east northbound shoulder. The motor home rolled over coming to rest in the east ditch on its top. The pickup came to rest in the east ditch. 

Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen said Brown was trapped in the motor home for about 25 minutes before being extricated from the vehicle by Vandalia firefighters. He was transported by ambulance to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia, where he was pronounced dead. 

An autopsy was scheduled for Monday at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham to determine the official cause of death.

Nelson Lewis and his passenger Una Lewis, 69 of Mulbery Grove, as well as a passenger in the motor home Carol Brown, 67 of Dixon, were all also transported to the Fayette County Hospital for treatment. Carol Brown was treated, then released.

Two dogs traveling with the Browns have been located and are with Mrs. Brown at home. They had been the subject of a search following the crash.

Charges are pending as the accident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.