Three killed in crash on I-55 near Litchfield

Three members of an East St. Louis family, including two young children, were killed in a two-vehicle crash that caused traffic on Interstate 55 near Litchfield to be rerouted for four hours Friday morning, according to Illinois State Police.The man driving, a woman and their four children were heading north on I-55 about two miles south of Litchfield when their Chevrolet Impala was rear-ended by a white cargo van about 5:20 a.m. Friday.State police said the Impala, driven by Alfredo McGee Sr., 31, was sitting in the right-hand lane with its lights off for some unknown reason when the crash occurred.
Alea Shannon, 27, Alfredo McGee Jr., 8, and Armondo McGee, 2, were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.The other two children riding in the car, Annastashia McGee, 6, and Alicea McGee, 5, were taken to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis.Annastashia was listed in critical condition, while Alicea was listed in stable condition. Alfredo McGee Sr., 31, was airlifted to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, where he, too, was listed in stable condition Friday afternoon.Macoupin County Coroner Brad Targhetta said the family had lived in Decatur before moving to East St. Louis.
State police identified the driver of the cargo van as Senad Hodzic, 26, of St. Louis. He was not injured.All lanes of traffic were cleared by about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Motorists were rerouted at the Mount Olive exit up Route 66 to Litchfield.The accident remains under investigation.