Indiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash
The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana.
In a statement, Coroner Laurie H. Summers reported that Stirm was pronounced deceased at 12:42 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the scene of the crash, located just west of South Elevator Road.
The initial crash occurred around 10:45 a.m. when the passenger vehicle Stirm was driving collided head-on with a semi-truck. According to the Manhattan Fire Protection District, the car sustained heavy damage, and crews had to perform an extrication to free her from the vehicle.
The situation on the rural road escalated less than two hours later. At approximately 12:35 p.m., a second major accident occurred nearby, involving a semi-truck hauling a propane tanker that had crashed and was leaking. Fire crews successfully stopped the leak and rescued that driver, who was transported for medical care.
The Will County Sheriff’s Police are leading the investigation into the crash that resulted in Ms. Stirm’s death. The Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy was performed on Wednesday, July 30. A final cause and manner of death will be determined following the completion of autopsy, police, and toxicology reports.
The two severe accidents prompted a massive response from multiple fire districts and law enforcement agencies, forcing the complete closure of Wilmington-Peotone Road for several hours on Tuesday for investigation and cleanup operations.
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: $20 million for Alton housing project; alleged migrant assaults reported
WATCH: Illinois DCFS can’t locate documents showing number of missing children
WATCH: Pritzker: ‘Government isn’t always the best option’
FAA announces flight reductions due to government shutdown
U.S. Supreme Court frosty on Trump’s tariff power as world watches
California invests in visas, legal immigration
Group seeks probe into Illinois law requiring grades 3-12 mental health screenings
Reason Foundation: No turning point yet in Illinois on pension debt
Lawmakers weigh in on how the ‘Blue Wave’ will impact shutdown negotiations
Supreme Court weighs challenge to Trump’s tariff power
Supreme Court justices question businesses challenging Trump’s tariffs
New Lenox Board Gives Preliminary Approval to ‘The Patio’ Restaurant Amid Traffic Concerns