Area News

Crash on U.S. Route 34 Claims 3 Lives, Injures 3 

Three people were killed and three others were injured in a violent two-vehicle crash on Saturday night, June 6, near Kirkwood in Warren County.

Illinois State Police and local emergency teams responded to the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 34 near East Walnut Street and 160th Avenue, just east of Kirkwood. The wreck involved two passenger vehicles colliding on the highway.

Three occupants died at the scene. Warren County Coroner Al McGuire identified the victims as Alexandra M. Vallee, 23, of Biggsville; Gregory M. Mowen, 22, of Abingdon; and Kendrick D. Talbert, 29, of Galesburg.

Three other individuals suffered severe injuries and were airlifted from the scene by medical helicopters to a regional hospital for treatment.

Authorities shut down U.S. Route 34 for nearly five hours to document the scene and clear debris, reopening the lanes around 3:19 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The crash remains under active investigation by Illinois State Police Troop 4. Officials have not yet released public details regarding what caused the two vehicles to collide.