Two girls died from injuries sustained when a van collided with a semitrailer on Illinois 316, east of County Road 1100E Wednesday morning.

Tanisha Madigan, 12, of Mattoon, died after being transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Harley Madigan, 15, of Mattoon, died after being taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Six others were transported to area hospitals after a van traveling east on Illinois 316 collided with a truck headed west at 9:02 a.m. Wednesday, according to a report released by Illinois State Police District 10.

Out of eight passengers, seven were ejected from the van as a result of the crash. Only a 2-year-old male remained in the car, according to the report.

Sandra Ross, 26, of Mattoon, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Venture eastbound on Illinois 316 when she passed another vehicle. She then lost control of the van and entered the westbound lane.

Jordan F. Pollard, 20, of Charleston, was driving a semitrailer west and was unable to avoid the van and made contact with the vehicle on the rear passenger side, according to the report.

The van then overturned in the ditch on the north side of highway 316. The semitrailer stopped on the south side of the highway.

Ross was issued citations for improper lane usage, no seatbelt, no valid driver’s license, driving an uninsured vehicle and speeding, according to the report.

Ross; Reda Wilson, 36, of Mattoon; an 8-year-old male; a 3-year-old female; and the 2-year-old were transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

A 4-year-old Mattoon minor was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital.

Pollard was not transported to an area hospital.

The report stated the crash is still under investigation.

Jordan Boner can be reached at 581-7942 or denmanaging@gmail.com

Two girls died from injuries sustained in a crash between a van and a semitrailer occurred on Illinois Highway 316 west of Loxa Road. Six others were taken to area hospitals for treatment. (Audrey Sawyer

(more…)