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Woman, Two Children Killed in Southern Illinois Collision

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A woman and two children are dead following a three-vehicle collision in Southern Illinois Thursday morning. 

Illinois State Police say the crash on U.S. 45, south of Rt. 169 occurred at 6:23 a.m.

According to a preliminary crash report, 23-year-old Rachel Killian of Marion, Illinois, was driving north with four children in the vehicle: a one-year-old male, two three-year-old females and a nine-month-old male. Her vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway. She she overcorrected and crossed into the southbound lane.

Drivers of two other vehicles: 57-year-old Karla Reichert of Karnak, Illinois, and 62-year-old Cathy Ulen of Ullin, Illinois, were traveling south.

Killian collided with Reichert and Ulen subsequently collided with Reichert. 

The Massac County coroner pronounced Killian and the one-year-old passenger dead at the scene. The three other passengers in her vehicle were transported to Western Baptist Hospital with serious injuries. A three-year-old died from her injuries at the hospital. 

Reichert was transported to an out-of-state hospital with severe injuries.

All lanes of U.S. 45 were closed for 3.5 hours for a crash investigation and cleanup. The investigation continues. 

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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