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
Report: Cautionary advice to governments granting overzealous tax breaks
‘Exploited tax dollars’: Trial law firms donate almost exclusively to Democrats
Supreme Court takes up Georgia Title IX case
Will County Executive Committee Splits on Whether to Ask Voters About Single-Member Districts
Will County Departments to Stop Accepting Pennies, Rounding Down Cash Transactions
Everyday Economics: The economy is still standing, but the squeeze Is building
Kentucky to select candidates in high profile races
Alabama voters to elect candidates in redrawn map
Legislative Committee: Federal Update Highlights $79 Billion ICE Funding and DHS Reconciliation
Do midterm redistricting efforts favor Republicans?
Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE ‘doxxing’
New Lenox Fast-Tracks Over $310,000 in SCADA Upgrades, Advances IEPA Loan for New Water Facility