One person dies in three-vehicle crash on Route 143 near Pierron

By Charles Bolinger

Editor • A driver died Wednesday after a multi-car accident on Route 143 near Pierron.

According to Jessica Zobrist, public information officer for the Highland-Pierron Fire Department, at 3:39 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2026, the Highland-Pierron Fire Department was dispatched along with an ambulance with Eastern Madison County Ambulance District for the report of a three-vehicle motor vehicle crash on State Route 143 approximately one mile west of Pierron. The City of Highland EMS was immediately contacted to provide mutual-aid due to the number of vehicles involved.

Highland-Pierron Fire Department Chief Phil Decker reported that the incident involved a semi truck and pickup truck, with a third vehicle involved in a secondary crash from the initial impact. The driver of the pickup truck was extricated by fire department personnel and transported by the Eastern Madison County Ambulance District crew to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland. Unfortunately, he did not survive his injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Highland Fire Department responded as mutual-aid for traffic control. The highway remained shut down for almost five hours by Illinois State Police Reconstruction.