CARBONDALE, Ill. (NewsFirst) — Two Southern Illinois University Carbondale students were killed in a head-on collision involving two trucks on North Illinois Avenue on Monday morning, according to a press release from the Carbondale Police Department.
City of Carbondale police officers responded to the 1500 block of North Illinois Avenue for a traffic crash at 7:45 a.m. The initial information provided was that a bus was involved. The investigation revealed that the school bus was not impacted during the crash and no one on the bus was injured. However, two trucks did collide in a head on crash that occurred near the bus. The lone occupant of the vehicle that was southbound suffered serious injuries. He was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale by the Jackson County Ambulance Service. Multiple agencies, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the De Soto Police Department, the Carbondale Fire Department, Carbondale Public Works Department, and the Illinois State Police assisted in this investigation.
The Jackson County Coroner’s Office identified Wolfgang W. Gustaveson, 19 years old of Park Ridge, Illinois, and Francis M. Martinez, 18 years old of Des Plaines, Illinois, as the two men who lost their lives as a result of the traffic crash. They were both attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and living on campus in Carbondale. The City of Carbondale is extremely sorry for the loss of these young men and extends our deepest sympathy to their families and loved ones.
The school released the following statement.
Dear fellow Salukis:
We are brokenhearted to lose two members of the Saluki family, Wolfgang Gustaveson and Frank Martinez, in an auto accident this morning, and we extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends. Both students were majoring in automotive technology. Classes in automotive technology are canceled today.
Mental health counseling is available from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 618-453-5371. As we mourn this loss in our community, we will keep Wolfgang’s and Frank’s families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Austin A. Lane
Chancellor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
