Published on January 29, 2026 1:52 pm
Last Updated on January 29, 2026 2:58 pm
One person was killed and others were injured in a multi-vehicle collision on I-57 in Coles County Thursday morning.
The crash happened at 8:35am in the southbound lanes near the Lake Land College interchange. First reports indicated three truck-tractor semi-trailers and multiple passenger vehicles on fire in the lane of traffic. Later reports clarified that there were four vehicles involved; two semi-trucks and two other vehicles, with one of the semi-trucks being a tanker. Mattoon Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss reported the tanker was hauling sugar water.
Hilligoss also reported that none of the vehicles were on fire in this accident. One of the semi drivers needed to be removed from the cab of his truck with the use of extrication tools.
Hilligoss said two victims were transported to the hospital from the incident; one by ambulance, the other by Air Evac.
Traffic was shut down at approximately 9am and is currently being diverted at milepost 192. As of 2:30pm, southbound lanes were still closed.
