Church Van Accident Near St. Louis Kills 5, Injures 6
Five adults died yesterday morning and another six were injured when a church van hit the median, crossed back across eastbound lanes and rolled over multiple times as it ran off the highway. The fatal car accident, which occurred near Vandalia, Illinois east of St. Louis, closed I-70 for a while. The Fayette County coroner called the accident “my worst nightmare,” saying it was the worst auto accident he had ever seen.
The van was transporting 11 male members of a Maryland church home from a religious event in California. Nine of the van’s 11 occupants were thrown from the vehicle during the accident. Survivors were transported to area hospitals where at least two remained in serious condition. Police are still investigating the cause of the auto accident but the van appears to have been the only vehicle involved in the crash.
The end of the school year and arrival of summer bring a flurry of church, school, day care, park district, day camp, sports team, youth group and other special outings where people place their lives or the lives of their children in the hands of drivers they do not know. Every year, tragic car, van and bus accidents are caused by car, van or bus drivers who are tired, distracted or unfamiliar with local roads.
If you or someone you love is injured in an auto accident, call Hoffman & Gelfman today at (866) 298-1020 to schedule a free consultation with an expert St. Louis auto accident lawyer.