EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 255 near Interstate 64 in East St. Louis at about 2:49 p.m. on July 16, 2026, authorities said. One driver died from injuries suffered in the crash, ISP said later on Thursday.
A preliminary investigation indicates that Unit 1 was traveling southbound on I-255 and Unit 2 was traveling northbound when, for an unknown reason, Unit 1 left the roadway, crossed the median into the northbound lanes and struck Unit 2 head-on.
The driver of Unit 1 was declared dead, according to Illinois State Police. The name of the driver of Unit 1 has not yet been released.
The driver of Unit 2 was transported to an area hospital.
The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office said a 36-year-old Freeburg resident – Casey Watt – was pronounced deceased at Memorial Hospital in Belleville on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Northbound I-255 lanes near I-64 were shut down, and traffic was diverted onto I-64 until about 6:04 p.m., police said.
Illinois State Police said there is no further information.
