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BELLEVILLE, IL — A tragic car accident in Belleville late Monday evening has left two people dead and four others injured, according to local authorities. The crash, which occurred near the intersection of Main Street and Route 15, involved two vehicles and is currently under investigation by the Belleville Police Department and the Illinois State Police.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 9:30 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting a serious collision. When officers arrived, they discovered two mangled vehicles — a dark-colored SUV and a compact sedan — with significant front-end damage. Several victims were trapped inside.
Firefighters from the Belleville Fire Department worked swiftly to extricate the victims using hydraulic rescue tools. Despite the rapid response, two individuals — a 35-year-old male and a 27-year-old female, both occupants of the sedan — were pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office. Their identities have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Four other individuals sustained various injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, while the remaining two are stable. Among the injured were a child and a teenager, both passengers in the SUV.
Initial witness accounts suggest that the sedan may have been traveling at a high rate of speed before colliding with the SUV, which was making a left turn onto Route 15. However, investigators have not confirmed this and say they are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses as well as analyzing physical evidence from the crash site.
“This is a devastating incident that has deeply impacted the community,” said Belleville Police Chief Mark Heffner during a late-night press briefing. “Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and to those who are recovering in the hospital.”
Residents in the area said they heard a loud bang followed by sirens and flashing lights. “It sounded like an explosion,” said Maria Lopez, who lives a block away. “I ran outside and saw the wreckage. It was terrifying.”
The intersection where the crash occurred has long been considered a high-risk area due to its complex traffic patterns and limited visibility at night. City officials said discussions about additional traffic control measures, including better lighting and updated signage, have been ongoing.
Police are urging any additional witnesses to come forward with information that could aid the investigation. Toxicology reports are pending, and it remains unclear whether alcohol, drugs, or distracted driving played a role in the crash.
The Belleville Police Department continues to investigate the incident with the assistance of accident reconstruction specialists. Grief counselors have been made available to witnesses and community members affected by the tragedy.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Belleville Police at (618) 234-1
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