Fatal Accident On Route 16 In Coles County Saturday

Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- From the Illinois State Police:

UNIT:

• ISP Troop 7

LOCATION:

• Illinois Route 16 westbound just east of Interstate 57, near Mattoon, Coles County

DATE and TIME:

• February 8, 2025, at approximately 11:48 p.m.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: 

• A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 7 units investigated a Fatal Traffic Crash involving a pedestrian at the above location and time. Unit 1 (Pedestrian, 22-year-old male from Benton, WI) was walking in the right lane of the roadway. Unit 2 (2013 Ford Taurus) was traveling west on Illinois Route 16, just east of Interstate 57, and struck Unit 1 in the roadway. Unit 1 came to rest in the left lane and was pronounced deceased on scene. Unit 2 driver (35-year-old male from Mattoon, IL) reported no injuries on scene. Unit 2 passengers (two female juveniles) reported no injuries on scene.
• After the pedestrian was struck in the first crash, a second traffic crash occurred. A 2014 Ford Escape was traveling west on Illinois Route 16 in the left lane and struck the pedestrian from the first crash. The driver in the second crash (Tia Coleman, 26-year-old female from Mascoutah, IL) was cited for DUI by the Mattoon Police Department. No injuries were reported on scene with the second crash.

The westbound lanes of IL Route 16 were closed during the crash investigation. The roadway opened at approximately 5:47 a.m. on February 9, 2025.

This crash investigation is active and no additional information is available.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.