Victims Identified in Mattoon Truck Accident

June 3, 2010 - More details are emerging about the tragic truck accident in Mattoon that killed three people and injured scores more. According to reports at CBS 2 Chicago, police have released the identities of the three people who were killed. Even though nine vehicles were involved, all three of the victims were traveling in a single car.

All of the victims killed were from Mississippi, and they were driving to Illinois for a vacation. Police have identified them as a 61-year-old woman from Batesville, an 80-year-old woman from Sarah, and a 68-year-old woman also from Sarah, Mississippi. Another person traveling in the car, a 58-year-old woman from Sardis, was injured.

The multi-vehicle accident occurred when a semi-truck driver became distracted while looking at a map and crashed into the back of a SUV. The SUV was crushed and burst into flames. The driver has been identified as a 55-year-old man from Louisiana. Police say drugs or alcohol were probably not factors in this fatal accident, although police continue to investigate.