Two Westville residents died Saturday after crashing into a natural gas substation. The substation caught on fire. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden has identified the victims as 77 year old Janice M. Harden and 3 year old Ella M. Thompson.
According to Illinois State Police, Harden’s vehicle was traveling west on Mill Street when for an unknown reason, it ran off the roadway, drove over a curb, through a grassy lot and struck a gas regulator station. The vehicle and station became engulfed in fire, state police said. Both victims were declared dead at the scene.
The road was closed for several hours for clean-up and an investigation. The city’s natural gas service had to be shut down for a while. McFadden says autopsies are schedule for this week. The state police and the coroner’s office are investigating the accident.
The victims were on their way to the Georgetown Fair when the accident occurred. Before performing at the Georgetown Fair on Saturday night, country star Rodney Atkins said he discussed postponing the show, but decided to go on with the show in memory of the pair.
