DOWNS — An unborn child died as the result of a traffic accident near Downs, said McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling on Wednesday.
An automobile and sport utility vehicle collided shortly before 6:45 p.m. Monday near the intersection of U.S. 150 and 1950 East near Downs. The driver of the automobile and all three occupants of the SUV were taken to the hospital.
They included Cassandra Schumann, the seat-belted SUV driver who was eight months pregnant. Her unborn daughter died at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday, Kimmerling said in a news release Wednesday.
An autopsy was performed on Peyson Schumann, but final results will wait for results of pending tests, Kimmerling said.
“However, findings are consistent with placenta abruption following the crash, and forensic toxicology tests have been ordered,” she said.
Kimmerling said the preliminary investigation suggests the driver of the eastbound vehicle crossed the center line into westbound traffic and struck Schumann’s SUV.
State police declined to release further details, saying the accident remains under
investigation.
The Downs Fire Department also assisted at the scene.
