Drivers killed in fatal Champaign County crash ID’d

URBANA TWP. — UPDATE @ 4:30 p.m.

The two drivers killed in a four-vehicle crash have been identified as Joseph Brandyberry, 32, of Urbana, and Todd Bayless, 33, of Urbana, according to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.

Brandyberry was driving a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser that went left of center around 10:15 a.m. in front of 1796 U.S. 68 South. His vehicle struck a 2004 Ford F-150 driven by John Keechle, 64, of Springfield.

Brandyberry’s PT Cruiser then struck a 2004 Chrysler Town & Country minivan head-on that was driven by Bayless. The minivan then was struck by a 2008 Honda Accord driven by Lukas McKee, 35, of Urbana, the sheriff’s office said.

Brandyberry was taken to Urbana Mercy emergency room, where he was pronounced dead. Bayless was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

UPDATE @ 1:20 p.m.

At least two people are dead following a four-car crash on U.S. 68 in Champaign County, Capt. Carl Loney said.

Loney told our crew as many as eight people were involved in the crash allegedly caused by a wrong-way driver.

Witnesses told police a PT Cruiser travelling northbound on the roadway when it went left of center and struck a southbound truck.

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The truck then hit a minivan with as many as six people in it before another car crashed into the back end of the van, according to Loney.

The identities of the deceased remain unknown as our newsroom works to learn more from police.

Deputies continue to investigate at the scene, according to our crew.

UPDATE @ 11:19 a.m.

U.S. 68 is closed in both directions as crews work the scene of a fatal crash in Urbana Twp., according to dispatchers.

Initial reports indicate the Champaign County coroner has been called to the scene.

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Dispatchers said U.S. 68 is closed between U.S. 55 and Campground Road outside of Urbana.

Our crew at the scene reports traffic is not backed up in the area and a truck is in a nearby ditch.

We will continue to follow updates in this developing story.

EARLIER REPORT

Multiple medics and CareFlight crews are responding to a serious crash on south U.S. 68 in Champaign County.

Crews were dispatched to the multi-car crash in the 1700 block of the highway in Urbana Twp. just before 10:30 a.m.

Initial reports indicate one person is unresponsive and trapped in a car at the scene.

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At least three CareFlight helicopters have been requested to the scene.

Dispatchers could not confirm how many injuries were reported or how many cars were involved in the crash.

We have a crew heading to the scene to learn more from deputies at the scene.

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