(Pesotum, IL) – The Illinois State Police are asking for assistance in locating the offending vehicle that was involved in a fatal traffic crash on I-57 southbound near Rantoul, Illinois (milepost 253.5). The pedestrian struck and killed was a 21-year-old University of Illinois student and wrestler, Francis C. Edelen, from Mahattan, Illinois.
On Wednesday night at approximately 9:37 pm, Illinois State Police District 10 was notified of a two-vehicle crash with injuries on I-57 southbound at milepost 253.5. Upon arrival it was determined the driver of one of the vehicles left the scene of the crash on foot, possibly attempting to flag down help or get a ride. A short distance south of the first crash location, the pedestrian, Francis C. Edelen, was struck and killed by an unknown vehicle in the right lane of traffic. The offending vehicle left the scene.
Zone 5 Investigations and ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction were contacted to conduct an investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact ISP District 10 Pesotum at (217)-867-2050.
The incident is still under investigation and we will update when more information becomes available.