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
Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
Lawmaker says Illinois behind 44 states in legislative transparency
Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Legislative Committee for February 3, 2026
Health & Safety Committee: Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop to Zero in January as Behavioral Health Department Expands Role
Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods
Illinois Quick Hits: Tangent to expand in Montgomery
Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. ‘relief package’ in Illinois
Smith & Wesson wins appeal chance in Highland Park lawsuits
Illinois Republicans say federal student data probe may reach Illinois State after Tufts review
Violence Interrupters, local activists lead CTA safety push