Published on August 7, 2026 6:21 am
Last Updated on August 7, 2026 4:02 pm
Authorities are investigating a fatal crash south of Effingham Friday morning.
The driver, 20-year-old Alyashailyassa Muhammad of Dewey, in Champaign County, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred at 4:19am on I-57 southbound, south of the 57/70 split. The single-passenger vehicle skidded off the damp pavement and struck the guardrail. Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes said that there was a very heavy rainfall in that area just prior to the crash. Family members told Rhodes that Muhammad was headed to Atlanta, Georgia at the time the crash occurred.
Medical records were requested and toxicology samples were obtained by the coroner’s office. The results should be available in about three weeks.
Agencies on scene were Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Rural Med EMS, Effingham and Watson Fire Departments, and Illinois Department of Transportation.
The case remains under investigation by the Effingham County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.
