Illinois State Police Search for Motorists, 3 Vehicles that Left Scene at Fatal Hit-and-Run on I-57, Rantoul

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CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov reports on the death of a college wrestler who was killed in a hit-and-run on Wednesday.

Illinois State police are looking for three vehicles that were pulled over Wednesday, March 21, 2018 after 9:40 p.m. on I-57 near the body of a University of Illinois student/wrestling team member. The body of Francis edelen, age 21, was located about three miles north of Rantoul near milepost 253. The victim, was described as a resident of Manhattan, Illinois and Oak Forest, Illinois. He was struck by one or more hit-and-run vehicles.

The three vehicles that had pulled over were categorized as a green car, a white SUV, and a third vehicle without a description. The drivers pulled away when a witness pulled up to the shoulder before police arrived. None of the three drivers or passengers spoke with Illinois State Police before they left the scene.

Initial investigation shows that Edelen was struck as he was walking along I-57 after he was involved in another crash. Edelen had been driving a silver 2005 Hyundai sedan that was involved in a two-car crash about 9:40 p.m. Wednesday. His car struck a white 2013 Buick LaCrosse in the rear, causing significant damage. Both vehicles came to rest in the right ditch. The driver of the Buick, identified as Stuart Anderson, 65, of Cissna Park, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with injuries initially believed to be non-life threatening.

Edelen left the first crash scene southbound as a pedestrian for an unknown reason. He was struck by an unknown number of vehicle(s) a short distance south of the crash scene. The Illinois State Police traffic reconstruction unit initially indicated Edelen, as a pedestrian, may have been struck by a large vehicle, such as a truck-tractor or semi-trailer combination.

Illinois State police urge citizens with information about the case, or any information about the vehicle or vehicles that struck Francis Edelen, to call the state police tip line at 217-278-5004.




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