Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, identified the deceased individual involved in the motor vehicle collision on Route 104 near Interstate 55 yesterday afternoon. LaDonna Rude, 42, of Pawnee was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident. An autopsy was done today and preliminary findings show Ms. Rude died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision. The death remains under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Illinois State Police.
Illinois State Police released a preliminary report regarding a 3-vehicle accident which occurred yesterday afternoon at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Illinois 104, ¼ mile east of Interstate 55 in Sangamon County.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by Cassandra Prindle, 33, of Springfield was travelling westbound on Illinois Route 104, ¼ mile east of I-55 near Pawnee. For an unknown reason, Pringle’s SUV crossed the center line striking a 2019 International Truck Tractor/Semi-Trailer unit driven by Fred Fleck, 20, of Sherman. The Explorer spun into the path of a 2004 Toyota Camry, driven by a 42-year-old woman from Pawnee, striking nearly head-on. The Camry’s driver was pronounced deceased on scene and her identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Prindle and her passengers, 2 minor children, were transported to an area hospital with injuries. She was charged with Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Improper Lane Usage.