Bloomington man pronounced dead after I-55 crash late Monday

Posted on May 16, 2023
Illinois State Police responded to the crash and entered the water to locate any victims, but were unsuccessful. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Jake Fogal

TOWANDA – The McLean County Coroner’s Office has released information regarding a fatal crash that occurred late Monday night on Northbound Interstate 55 near milepost 170 in the Boyd Wesley Park Pond in Towanda.

County Coroner Kathy Yoder pronounced 60 year-old Rick Plourde of Bloomington, dead at the scene. Preliminary autopsy opinion indicated that Plourde died from drowning after his vehicle left the roadway and became submerged in a pond.

Toxicology testing is pending.

Illinois State Police responded to the crash and entered the water to locate any victims, but were unsuccessful.

It was not until a dive team from the Hudson Fire Department arrived with a tow cable to remove the vehicle from the water that Plourde was discovered.

This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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