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11 Children Injured in Morning Accident on Route-13

State Police say a garbage truck collided with a day-care center bus after the truck's brakes failed.

A garbage truck collided with a day-care center bus this morning injuring 11 children.   Illinois State Police say the accident occurred about 7:15am at the intersection of Route-13 and Spillway Road on the Jackson-Williamson county line.

Troopers say the garbage truck was west bound on Route 13 approaching Spillway Road.  The bus was southbound on Spillway Road approaching Route-13.  Troopers say the garbage truck driver, 29-year old Mason McCord, reports he swerved to avoid rear-ending other cars stopped at the intersection for a red light.  The driver says the truck experienced a mechanical problem and was unable to stop.   Troopers say the driver steered into the north bound turn lane, struck the curb and then crashed into the bus.  The impact caused the the garbage truck to overturn.  The bus was shoved to the northwest corner of the intersection.  Trooper say the bus did not overturn.

Troopers say 11-children were injured.  Those injuries ranged from very minor to non-life threatening.   All were initially transported to a local hospital via ambulance.    One child was flown to a regional hospital as a precautionary measure.   One adult passenger on the bus had to be extricated and was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.   A second adult passenger received minor injuries.

The driver of the garbage truck, 29-year old Mason McCord of West Frankfort was injured and taken to a local hospital.  Police ticketed McCord for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and improper lane usage and inoperable brakes.  State Police say an investigation continues.

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Emergency crews were called to the scene of a crash on Illinois Route 13 at Spillway Road Friday morning.

State Police say a trash truck and school bus collided around 7:00am, resulting in several injuries. Victims were taken by ambulance to hospitals, but the extent of their injuries is unknown.

Trooper Joey Watson says an extensive investigation is underway, and westbound lanes of Route 13 are backed up. He advises drivers seek alternate routes if they're heading west from Williamson County into Jackson County.

Jennifer Fuller joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as the organization’s broadcast director. She will oversee the launch and operations of CNI’s new broadcast division.

Contact Jennifer Fuller at jfuller@capitolnewsillinois.com
Jeff Williams is the Associate Director for Radio and Station Manager for WSIU Radio. Jeff is a native of southern Illinois and has been in broadcasting for 30 years. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiuradio@wsiu.org
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