News

MONDAY ACCIDENT UPDATE: Deceased named after vehicle crashes into tree, catches fire in Champaign County

Photo: Shutterstock


HOMER, IL (Chambana Today) — The Champaign County Coroner has released the identity of the person who was killed in Monday’s car crash near Homer. Coroner Laurie Brauer said the victim is Karen Parr, 82 of Newman. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 1:08 p.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.

According to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a traffic crash with injuries on County Road 2500 East, just north of County Road 700 North. When deputies arrived, they found a single vehicle with extensive damage and its sole occupant inside. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators say preliminary findings indicate the vehicle was traveling northbound when it gradually veered off the roadway to the east. Tire tracks in the gravel shoulder and ditch suggest the vehicle did not leave the roadway abruptly. The vehicle traveled about 100 feet before striking a tree in a ditch area near the 700 block of County Road 2500 East.

A passerby who did not witness the crash discovered the vehicle and attempted to help the driver. Authorities say the vehicle was already filled with smoke at that time. The passerby removed the driver and began CPR but stopped after determining the driver was deceased. Shortly afterward, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames and was declared a total loss.

No other occupants were found in or around the vehicle, and there was no indication that anyone was ejected.

The Champaign County Coroner’s Office took custody of the decedent and will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The crash remains under investigation.

Recent Headlines

8 hours ago in National

What to watch as the midterms begin with Tuesday’s primaries

After months of speculating, pontificating and spinning, the midterm election season begins in earnest Tuesday. The primary results in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas will provide some of the first concrete evidence for what voters want as President Donald Trump's second term approaches the halfway mark.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Eddie Vedder turns solo vulnerability into a powerful plea in Netflix’s ‘Matter of Time’

The first time Eddie Vedder toured without Pearl Jam, he made some glaring mistakes onstage and felt discouraged. A few shows later, he ran into Bruce Springsteen, who told him that performing solo is terrifying but that vulnerability can be a force to harness.

8 hours ago in Sports

NCAA football oversight committee proposes stiff penalties for violations of transfer portal window

The NCAA football oversight committee is recommending emergency legislation to protect the transfer portal window by issuing penalties for schools and coaches who circumvent the rules.

8 hours ago in Sports

US hockey player Brady Tkachuk slams White House TikTok as ‘clearly fake’ after anti-Canada slur

American hockey player Brady Tkachuk said Thursday that he did not appreciate a doctored TikTok video shared by the White House that made it look like he was disparaging Canadians after winning Olympic gold, calling it fake and something he would never say.

8 hours ago in Entertainment

30 years after Pokémon’s release, fans are still trying to catch ’em all

In the 30 years since Pokémon debuted in Japan with the 1996 release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green for Nintendo Game Boy, the franchise has taken over the globe with its animated shows, mobile games and highly coveted trading cards. Its popularity continues with fans young and old.