Fulton County man dies in two-vehicle crash

A 48-year-old Smithfield man died in a two-car collision near Vermont Monday evening, according to Illinois State Police.David S. Jones was headed eastbound about 6:50 p.m. on County Road 35 in a 1995 Ford Escort when he apparently failed to stop at the intersection of 35 and Co. Rd. 13, police said.The Escort crossed into the path of a 2003 Mercedes Benz, driven by 61-year-old James B. Frick, of Colchester, headed south on County Road 13.The Mercedes struck the Ford in the driver side door, and because of the impact, both vehicles skidded southeast into a bean field. Jones was killed in the collision.
According to the ISP, Jones was not wearing a seatbelt, and investigation led authorities to believe that he was using a cellphone at the time of the collision.Both Frick and Mercedes passenger Lana J. Frick, of Colchester, were transported to McDonough District Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries and have since been released. They were both wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.No charges are pending. Responding agencies included the ISP, Fulton County Sheriff's Department, Fulton County Coroner's Office, Fulton County EMS and Vermont Fire Department.