One dead in Ford County crash

PAXTON – The Ford County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal crash which occurred shortly before noon Wednesday at 100 North Road and 1600 East Road, southwest of Paxton.

Sheriff Mark Doran says a 2014 Dodge Avenger was traveling south when it failed to stop at a stop sign causing it to go into the intersection and strike a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup which was traveling east. Both vehicles spun into a nearby ditch while the pickup struck a utility pole with the roof.

A female occupant in the Avenger was pronounced dead upon arrival at Carle Hospital in Champaign. The other occupant in the vehicle, Kevin Patterson of Paxton, sustained life-threatening injuries. The woman’s name has not been released. Police say the pickup was driven by Jeffrey Bowen of Roberts who received non-life threatening injuries. A 10-year-old passenger in the pickup sustained only minor injuries.

Doran reports both occupants of the pickup were wearing seatbelts but neither occupant of the Avenger were wearing seat belts. All of the crash victims were extricated from both vehicles. The crash remains under investigation by the Ford County Sheriff’s Department.

Responding agencies included the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, Gibson Area Ambulance Service and members of the Ludlow Fire Department.