Head-On Crash On IL-15 Tuesday Leaves One Dead

By Alex Haglund

A two vehicle, head-on collision on IL-15 just east of Raven Road, on Tuesday, February 27, resulted in one fatality, John Frye, 58, of Freeburg.
The Illinois State Police report that the crash occurred at approximately 1:07 p.m. a maroon 2014 Chevrolet Impala driven by Frye was traveling eastbound on IL-15 approximately six miles east of Nashville in front of 3 Way Horse Farms when he crossed into the westbound lanes where a gray 2017 Ford pickup was being driven by Micah Rincker, 36, of Ashley.
According to a report released by Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger, Rincker’s vehicle exited the roadway onto the grass to avoid the collision but was unable to due to the steep embankment and the two vehicles met head-on.
Following the impact, both vehicles came to rest on the north side of the roadway.
Rincker received non-life-threatening injuries from the crash. He was transported by ambulance to Washington County Hospital.
Frye was trapped in his vehicle and personnel from the Nashville and Addieville Fire Departments worked to extricate him at the scene. Styninger’s report stated that his department was dispatched to the scene at 1:04 p.m., and Frye was declared dead at the scene at 1:13 p.m.
Styninger’s report stated that cause of death for Frye was determined to be massive blunt force trauma and the manner of death appeared to be accidental. Toxicology samples were taken from Frye by Styninger for routine testing.
An accident reconstruction team from the Illinois State Police responded to the scene, and the accident caused the road to be closed for approximately three hours for rescue and clean up. No charges have been filed and both the Illinois State Police and the office of Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger will have continuing investigations.