PONTOON BEACH — A backseat passenger died after being ejected from a vehicle that lost control during a lane change and rolled over on Illinois Route 255 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, according to Illinois State Police.
The Illinois State Police said Troop 8 units responded to the single-vehicle crash at approximately 3:55 p.m. Wednesday in the southbound lanes north of Illinois Route 162, near milepost 30, in Pontoon Beach in Madison County.
ISP said preliminary investigative details indicate the vehicle changed from the right lane to the left lane, lost control and crossed through the center median. It then rolled over and came to rest in the southbound lanes, police said.
The driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. The front-seat passenger reported no injuries at the scene. The backseat passenger died from their injuries.
Traffic was greatly disrupted along Illinois 255 after the crash. All southbound lanes were closed for the crash investigation and reopened at approximately 8:44 p.m. Wednesday.
