Bloomington-Normal Area Mourns: 13-Year-Old Springfield Teen Dies in McLean County Crash
Luke W. Peterson, 13, of Springfield was killed in a single-vehicle SUV crash on Route 136 near McLean late Sunday night. The teen was a passenger. A second occupant was hospitalized. The crash is under investigation.
A community in grief
A 13-year-old boy from Springfield was killed late Sunday night in a single-vehicle crash in McLean County, just south of the Bloomington-Normal area.
McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder identified the victim as Luke W. Peterson of Springfield. Peterson was pronounced dead at 1:12 a.m. Monday at Carle Bromenn Medical Center.
The crash
Illinois State Police troopers responded to a wreck on U.S. Route 136 under the Interstate 55 overpass near McLean at approximately 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Yoder said the SUV left the roadway and crashed. Peterson was a passenger in the vehicle. The preliminary cause of death is multiple blunt injuries sustained in the crash.
A second person in the SUV was injured and transported to a local hospital. That person's condition was not immediately released.
Both lanes of Route 136 were closed for several hours. Traffic reopened around 6:07 a.m. Monday, according to NewsChannel 20.
A young baseball player remembered
Peterson played baseball for Glenwood Community Unit School District and for the Tribe Baseball and Softball Academy.
Glenwood Baseball described Peterson as having an "undeniable impact" on the middle school team as a seventh grader last fall.
"Luke had an undeniable impact on the middle school team last fall as a 7th grader. His potential was limitless as a baseball player and young man."
Glenwood officials said Peterson was the winning pitcher in last fall's Regional Championship game. That game was the last one played on the middle school field before renovations.
The school created a memorial at the field. Community members are being asked to place baseballs in honor of Peterson while staying off the mound until middle school baseball returns in August.
Tribe Baseball and Softball Academy also released a statement.
"Luke quickly became a great teammate, competitor, and brother to his Tribe 13u team that they all loved. We are all heartbroken and will continue to play like Luke did—love for the game of baseball and love of his teammates."
Investigation continues
The crash remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner's Office and the Illinois State Police. No additional details about the cause of the crash have been released.
The Bloomington-Normal community is connected to McLean County through daily commutes, school sports, and shared healthcare services. Carle Bromenn Medical Center serves residents across McLean County and surrounding areas including parts of the Bloomington-Normal metro.