GRANITE CITY/WOOD RIVER – A Wood River man has been charged in connection with a Saturday crash, Sept. 12, 2026, in Granite City that killed a mother and her two children after authorities said a black Chevy pickup truck was reported driving erratically and later failed to stop for police.
Kevin Duane Johnson, 64, faces three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of reckless homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, according to documents.
Documents state an ISPERN call was made at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from Effingham, Ill., on Interstate 57 near milepost 133 for a black Chevy pickup truck that was driving erratically.
An Illinois State Police trooper saw the truck at 3:05 p.m. speeding, activated lights and sirens and tried to stop it. The truck was traveling at more than 100 mph, and the pursuit was stopped at that time, documents state.
At 4:19 p.m., a Granite City Police officer saw the truck speed past him and improperly pass other vehicles. The officer activated lights and sirens to stop the truck. The truck continued at a high speed, ignored a stop sign and crashed into Shanna Burns’ car, which was carrying Burns and her two children, according to documents.
Burns and her children died due to the crash.
ISP said the crash happened at the intersection of Pontoon and Wabash.
Documents state Johnson had a revoked driver’s license at the time of the crash and has a lengthy history of traffic violations.
These charges, as well as the statements made herein, are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
