MATTOON, IL : A Chicago woman died as a result of a vehicle crash on April, Saturday 22nd 2017

A Chicago woman died as a result of a vehicle crash with a semi truck at 12:10 p.m. Saturday at milepost 191.25 on Interstate 57.

Shakira Smith, 25, died in the two-vehicle accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision at 12:18 p.m., Coles County Chief Deputy Coroner Michael Bennett said.

According to Illinois State Police, Smith was northbound in the left lane on the interstate, driving a black 2007 Nissan Versa. Witness reports state that Smith's vehicle swerved from the left lane into the right lane and then off the roadway, striking the east side guardrail, ISP report.

She then redirected and crossed both northbound lanes and the center median, then up into the southbound lanes, where she came into the path of a semi truck driven by Christopher Caughron, 45, of Galesburg in the right lane going southbound, ISP reported.

According to state police, Caughron slowed down, however, he was unable to avoid colliding with Smith's auto, which ended up directly in front of his vehicle.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and Smith's airbags did deploy.

After emergency personnel arrived, Caughron was transported to the hospital for observation with no reported injuries. A commercial motor vehicle officer completed a Level 1 inspection of the truck and Caughron and found no violations, state police stated.

The crash is still under investigation by state police, and Bennett said further information regarding Smith's death is still being sought.

Smith and Caughron were the only people involved in the accident. No charges have been brought against Caughron, according to state police.

Mattoon police and Lake Land College police assisted with rerouting traffic on the interstate. I-57 was blocked off near the scene until about 4:45 p.m. that day.

Source :
25-year-old dead after I-57 accident