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One of two I-39 crash victims identified
By Greg Stanmar
gregstanmar@insightbb.com
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TONICA -- The LaSalle County coroner’s office was trying Thursday to verify the identity of one of the two people killed late Tuesday night in a fiery crash on Interstate 39.

One of the victims was identified Thursday as Maricela Carreon, 39, of LaSalle. The name of the second victim is not expected to be released until today.

A truck driver, Gregory Land, 51, of Poplar Grove, was credited with trying to save the unidentified driver who was still alive in the burning Jeep, police said. He was burned in the attempt.

The accident occurred when a southbound pickup driven by Russell Flanders, 22, of Elburn, struck the rear of the Jeep, said Chad Broyles, state police accident reconstruction expert. The view on the interstate was obscured because a load of hay had caught fire farther down the road, police said.

The Jeep then was pushed into the rear of a semitrailer truck driven by Michael Yanke, 46, of Muskego, Wis., who was not injured.

The two LaSalle women in the Jeep were heading to work at Oak State Products, a cookie factory in Wenona, a company spokesman said.

Flanders was released Thursday from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Land tried pulling the victims from the fiery wreck. Mike Land, of Elgin, said his father was a truck driver heading north on the interstate when he came upon the accident on the southbound side. He stopped and ran across the median, and found one victim was still alive.

“She was burning but still alive and crying for help,” Mike Land said.

A number of fire extinguishers from nearby trucks were used but the vehicle’s door had become too hot to touch, he said.

“He had to be pulled from the scene” when the rescue failed and the woman died, Mike Land said.

“The doctors who were treating him at the (Peru) hospital (for burned hands) called him a hero for doing everything humanly possible to save the woman,” said the son. “Unfortunately, he doesn’t feel like a hero.”

Land drives a truck on a route from Rockford to Danville “and will have to pass that spot every night,” said his wife, Patty Land.

Further investigation will be done by the state’s attorney’s office, Broyles said.

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Reader comments on this story - 16 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

co Worker wrote on Oct 22, 2007 3:32 PM:

" My heart goes out to my co workers and there families that died in this accident.I would also like to praise the hero's that tried to help these ladies.God Bless all of you!!! "

pete wrote on Oct 21, 2007 9:49 PM:

" i am sorry "

mike wrote on Oct 19, 2007 6:29 PM:

" so sorry . rest in peace "

JUST A GUY- wrote on Oct 19, 2007 10:47 AM:

" GREAT JOB MR. LAND - THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU !!!!!! "

To: Tonica wrote on Oct 19, 2007 10:36 AM:

" You don't know that the pickup was going above the speed limit! The Jeep could have slowed because of the lack of visibility and the pickup didn't see them in time to slow down. Don't leap to conclusions, nor hope that tickets were issued and arrests made. You don't know the facts. And, in case you really did just fall off a turnip truck, smoke from fires can obscure visibility well beyond a mile and a half. Ever see footage on forest fires? "

Al Nonamos wrote on Oct 19, 2007 10:19 AM:

" I was also on scene. This was in deed the worst this I've ever seen. I also made an attempt. It hurt me dearly to wittness this. I send my prayers to the families. Al Nonamos Truck Driver.. "

Thank you Mr. Land! wrote on Oct 19, 2007 8:47 AM:

" I don't know anyone involved, and you likely didn't know these people, but it is great to see that there are very good people in this world. God bless you and everyone involved. "

Sympathy wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:56 PM:

" Everyone is in our hearts and prayers! From the hay fire to the fatalities. Keep close to GOD!!!!!! "

OMG wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:20 PM:

" omg "

Rest in peace wrote on Oct 18, 2007 6:09 PM:

" Terrible way to die. "

Respect 4 All wrote on Oct 18, 2007 6:00 PM:

" Sympathies to all involved. The victims and their families first and foremost, the truck driver that attempted a very brave rescue, and the young man that rear ended the Jeep. I am sure that the family and the survivors will live with this unfortunate event in their minds for a very very long time. "

Tonica wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:55 PM:

" This story is not complete. How fast was the pickup going? That pickup had to be doing well above the speed limit. you claim smoke obscured thier vision? The fire was a mile and half away. I sure hope tickets were issued and an arrest was made. "

I am wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:55 PM:

" deeply saddened by the loss of my co-workers. GOD Bless their souls and their families "

Total bummer~~ wrote on Oct 17, 2007 2:49 PM:

" thoughts to all involved. "

Families: wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:38 PM:

" May God be with you all... "

How sad~~ wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:16 PM:

" My sympathies go out to the families of the lost. May God be with each and every one of them. "
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