Fatal Crash Raises Concerns About Route 24
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 16, 2013
PEORIA- Tuesday morning's route 24 crash was the first this year and people who drive on that road often say it won't be the last.
"It's a very dangerous road," said Steve Burgess, who drives the route daily for work.
"You have to be careful, you have to pay attention to everybody else. With out no doubt somebody's going faster that they're supposed to," said Trista Burroughs, who works at a gas station along route 24.
Tuesday's accident raises those concerns even higher. Around 6:30 a.m., two drivers, 59-year-old Alan Donald McLuckie of Cuba and 20-year-old Zachary R. Taylor of St. David, were pronounced dead on the scene.
The Peoria County Coroner said the two trucks were traveling in opposite directions when one crossed over the center line. The coroner said the trucks collided, almost head on.
One driver was heading home from working a 12 hour shift, the other was on his way to work. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt. There was one passenger in one of the trucks, who was transported to the hospital.
Another car was involved in the crash and the driver of that car was also taken to the hospital. Autopsies for the two men are set to take place tomorrow.
Coupled with this most recent accident, people familiar with route 24 will also remember a motorcycle accident that happened in August. And a few months earlier, two died when their SUV crashed into a garbage truck.
"Route 24 and route 116 are by far our two highest accident area roads," said Peoria County Sheriff, Mike McCoy.
McCoy agrees the road is dangerous. From 2008 to 2012 there were 328 accidents on route 24 in Peoria County. In 2012 alone there were 66 accidents on the same stretch of road. People voiced concerns about the section where four lanes narrow to two, and the median ends.
"Once you get where it goes down to two lanes it's unsafe to pass because it's too curvy and people they still drive 60 there even though it's 55 if not faster," Burroughs said.
People think changes need to happen to make drivers slow down.
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"With how busy the road is I think that honestly it should go down four lanes a lot further at least past that busy area down there," Burroughs said.
Cheech Rosales also drives route 24 every day for work. He said he'd like to see "more signs and more police."
Mccoy said police are on route 24 all the time, he says there are plans to step up enforcement.
"There will be more radar along route 24 that was part of our overall plan," McCoy said.
McCoy said route 24 has a lot of side roads, and drivers need to be more careful when turning. He says some of the accidents are also because of deer, and things like texting and drunk driving.
UPDATE: IDOT say if you have a concern that you'd like to share, call them at (309)671-3333.
UPDATE: IDOT say if you have a concern that you'd like to share, call them at (309)671-3333.
Comments
Mr. Mcoy... Your statement that "police are on route 24 all the time" confuses me. I have traveled that highway all most daily for the past 35 years. I'm not saying they do not patrol the highway. But it certanly is not "all the time". I can not recall ONCE where I have seen a county patrol car along this stretch of highway. Either those who report to you are mis-leading you or your records are false. I would encourage you to remove yourself from behind your desk and take a look for yourself. I mean no disrespect Mr.McCoy but you are not correct. The best time to patrol this stretch is in the morning time when people are communting to work. Not during the late evening when traffic is light.
Randy V.
January 16, 2013 at 7:36 am
Mr. Mcoy... Your statement that "police are on route 24 all the time" confuses me. I have traveled that highway all most daily for the past 35 years. I'm not saying they do not patrol the highway. But it certanly is not "all the time". I can not recall ONCE where I have seen a county patrol car along this stretch of highway. Either those who report to you are mis-leading you or your records are false. I would encourage you to remove yourself from behind your desk and take a look for yourself. I mean no disrespect Mr.McCoy but you are not correct. The best time to patrol this stretch is in the morning time when people are communting to work. Not during the late evening when traffic is light.
Randy V.
January 16, 2013 at 7:35 am
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