A Wednesday morning (October 9, 2019) collision along Illinois route one near Georgetown has tragically claimed a second life. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup says 9-year-old Wyatt Pope of Georgetown died at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana at 8:46 this (Saturday) morning. Wyatt’s father, 29-year-old Tyler Pope, died Wednesday from injuries he sustained in the crash.
Illinois State Police say their preliminary investigation found that Tyler Pope was driving a vehicle which struck two others before crossing into oncoming traffic. The Pope vehicle then hit a third vehicle head-on.
Tyler Pope was pronounced dead at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville on Wednesday.
The crash left two other people hospitalized but Illinois State Police said their injuries were not life-threatening. Coroner Northrup says no autopsy is planned on Wyatt Pope, but an inquest into his death may be held later.
The crash remains under investigation by Illinois State Police and both the Champaign County and Vermilion County Coroner’s Offices.
