News Local/State

Man Dies in Train-Truck Collision Near Savoy

 

Authorities say a worker at a farm chemical company died after his fertilizer truck was struck by an Amtrak train in the Champaign County town of Savoy, just south of Champaign

Champaign County Sheriff officials say the 42-year-old man was from Newman, in Douglas County. The News-Gazette reports that Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup identified him as Brent E. Stewart. The Champaign County Sheriff's Department says he was an employee of Illini FS. Stewart died after being airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.  

Authorities tell News-Gazette that Stewart was driving a three-wheeled fertilizer truck out of a farm field on Thursday evening when he drove in front of the northbound Amtrak train.  

The train had about 100 passengers on board and several complained of sore necks after the collision.  

Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Mills says the front of the train was heavily damaged and towed to a terminal.