Two people were killed and four others injured Tuesday afternoon in a head-on wreck on an interstate near Joslin, authorities reported Wednesday.
Thirty-eight-year-old Songolo Lolonga and his passenger, 27-year-old WIlonja M. Mashimango, both of Rock Island, died in the wreck, according to car accident reports from the Illinois State Police. Two other passengers in Songolo’s vehicle and the two occupants of the other vehicle involved in the wreck also suffered injuries requiring hospitalization, troopers said.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident? Speak to a lawyer for a free no obligation consultation
Or call us at (888) 699-7975
Lolonga at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday was driving a jeep east on Interstate 88 near Joslin when he lost control of his vehicle, authorities said. Lolonga’s vehicle drove through the highway’s median and rolled, coming to rest in the westbound lanes of the interstate, car accident reports state.
The jeep then was struck by a westbound vehicle driven by 69-year-old Duane L. Thomas, of Winfield, according to authorities.
Emergency medical personnel said Lolonga and Mashimango were killed as a result of the crash. Two other passengers in the vehicle, 22-year-old Isaya M. Abwe and 42-year-old Babocha E. Mmelwa, both of Rock Island, were taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries described by troopers as serious.
Thomas reportedly suffered minor injuries, as did his passenger, 67-year-old Marcia A. Thomas, of Winfield, according to car accident reports.
It’s unclear from reports available Wednesday whether investigators have determined what caused Lolonga to lose control of the jeep. They have not said whether factors like inattentive driving, speed or intoxication are thought to have contributed.
Disclaimer: The Safety Watch article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.
The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.