Salem Acting Police Chief Tyler Rose says a 55-year-old rural Iuka woman involved in a crash on West Main near the southbound exit ramp of I-57 later was pronounced dead at Salem Township Hospital.
She is identified as Sherri Easley of Calvert Road.
Rose says Easley was eastbound on Main Street when she crossed into the westbound lane. The vehicles in the driving and passing lanes separated to allow space for Easley’s car, but her car ended up striking the rear tire on a vehicle driven by 40-year-old Michael Locker of Strasberg, IL knocking the rear wheel off. Easley’s car then continued into the roadside ditch before coming to a stop.
Locker was not hurt. The other westbound vehicle was not involved in the crash and did not stop.
The Salem Fire Protection District was called to the scene to assist, but Easley had already been helped out of the vehicle by a passerby.
Marion County Coroner Claude Howell says Easley had been ill and the crash is believed to be medically related. Toxicology tests were taken to try and help confirm the cause of death.
The crash occurred at 7:15 Wednesday morning.
