On Tuesday, Decem
ber 26, 2023, at approximately 11:26 p.m., the Fairview Heights Police Department responded to vehicle accident involving a pedestrian on West State Route 161 near St. Clair Avenue.
ber 26, 2023, at approximately 11:26 p.m., the Fairview Heights Police Department responded to vehicle accident involving a pedestrian on West State Route 161 near St. Clair Avenue.When officers arrived, they located a black Ford Fusion stopped in the roadway, facing north on State Route 161. Officers also located the 73 year old female victim lying in the northbound lanes of West State Route 161 with serious injuries. The female was wearing dark non-contrasting clothing. Officers and ambulance personnel rendered aid, including CPR, to the victim who was transported to Belleville Memorial Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. The victim’s identity is being withheld until the notification of family.
Preliminary details showed the Ford Fusion was travelling northbound on West State Route 161 nearing the intersection of St. Clair Avenue when the pedestrian was struck. The driver waited for law enforcement to arrive and investigating officers performed Field Sobriety tests and found the driver to have an alcohol content of 0.00%.
Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team responded to investigate the fatal crash. No citations were issued as the crash investigation is pending.
Identity of the pedestrian will be released upon family notification. We were assisted by Caseyville Police Department, Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Accident Reconstructionist Team, French Village Fire Department and Fairview Fire Department.
“This is a grim reminder about using cross walks at stop lights. There has been a significant increase in people jaywalking because it doesn’t seem to be that serious of an offense, until it is. Safety is inconvenient. We send our sincere condolences to the victim’s family.” – Chief Steve Johnson