FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2021
June Traffic Crash at Kearney and West Bypass Turns Fatal
On Oct. 20, 2021, officers with the Springfield Police Department were notified that a driver involved in a June 16th traffic crash had died while in an Illinois hospital.
On June 16, 2021, at 12:39 p.m. Springfield Police were dispatched to the intersection of Kearney and West Bypass regarding a four-vehicle crash.
The initial investigation indicates a 2018 Jeep Compass was northbound on West Bypass approaching Kearney Street. The driver of the Jeep Compass, 58-year-old Scott Wishard, from Mattoon, IL, failed to stop at a solid red light at the intersection and collided with a 2003 Ford F-150. The collision caused Wishard’s vehicle to re-direct to the northwest where it struck the raised cement median, became airborne, and landed upside down. The impact caused the Ford F-150 to strike the median, which in turn caused it to strike a third vehicle facing south on West Bypass. A fourth vehicle was struck by a sign that was dislodged from the initial crash.
At the time of the crash, none of the involved drivers complained of serious injuries and none were transported to the hospital.
On June 26, 2021, Mr. Wishard was admitted to a hospital in Illinois and died on June 28, 2021. The motor vehicle accident was listed by the Medical Examiner in Illinois as a contributing factor in Mr. Wishard’s death. The Illinois State Police notified the Springfield Police Department of Mr. Wishard’s death on October 20, 2021. Mr. Wishard’s family members have been notified.
Officers with the department’s Traffic Section are continuing to investigate the circumstances involved in the crash and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.
This motor vehicle crash marks the 25th traffic fatality in Springfield in 2021.
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Case number: 21-20699
Media Contact: PAO Jasmine Bailey
417-864-1786
[email protected]
Release authorized by Capt. Culley Wilson