CHAMPAIGN COUNTY - Illinois State Police have released more information regarding a Sunday afternoon fatal crash involving multiple vehicles on Interstate 57.
ISP officials say the crash happened at about 5:13 p.m. near mile post 238.5 in Champaign County. According to the preliminary investigation into the crash, a 2005 Chevrolet passenger car was traveling north on I-57 when it struck the rear of a 2015 Freightliner tow truck. Authorities say the Freightliner was partially in the median and partially in the left lane, with amber rotating lights activated, in order to remove a vehicle from a previous crash.
Following the initial collision, ISP Troopers say the Chevrolet spun across the roadway, coming to rest on the right shoulder, and the Freightliner was pushed further into the median, with the vehicle's rear still in the left lane. A 2013 Toyota passenger car that was following the Chevrolet also struck the rear of the Freightliner, coming to rest under the rear of the tow truck. Authorities say the Freightliner's emergency lights were not operational at the time of the second collision.
The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 26-year-old Robert Mikolajewski, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:19 p.m. The drivers of the Freightliner and Toyota, as well as all three passengers in the Toyota, were taken to local hospitals via ambulance.
The crash is still under investigation, and no charges are pending at this time. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
