MONROE COUNTY, Ill. — One person was killed and three others were injured in a crash Sunday afternoon in unincorporated Monroe County.
The superintendent for Columbia Community Unit School District 4 confirmed the crash involved four Columbia High School students.
According to a news release from Illinois State Police, the deadly single-car crash happened at about 3 p.m. Sunday on Hanover Road, about a quarter-mile west of Illinois Route 3.
The Monroe County Coroner's Office pronounced one of the vehicle's occupants dead at the scene, another occupant was airlifted to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and two others were taken via ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to ISP.
ISP said the person who died was a passenger.
A preliminary investigation revealed a Waterloo police officer had seen the vehicle speeding on Illinois Route 3 shortly before the crash.
The ISP Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 6 was called to assist with the ongoing investigation.
In a statement shared Sunday to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department's Facebook page, Sgt. Justin Biggs said the crash "has profoundly affected multiple families, as well as our dedicated first responders." The department was not yet releasing the names of the victims, as it was still working to inform the families impacted.
"On behalf of Sheriff Neal Rohlfing, we respectfully request that the public allows time for the grieving process and respects the privacy of those involved," Biggs said.
In an email sent to Columbia Community Unit School District 4 families on Monday, the school district said, "There was an accident over the weekend, and our thoughts and prayers are with these students, their families and our community. Due to recent events, we will not take attendance at school tomorrow. However, we will be open and have counselors and social workers present for those who need to talk … We are here to help your student as we all deal with this situation."
The district's superintendent said other area schools were generous to share social workers in order for Columbia High School to have extra support.
On Sunday evening, Immaculate Conception Church gathered for a Holy Rosary. In a social media post it said, "To offer prayerful support of the families of the young men involved in the accident."
A prayer vigil for the victims will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Christ Community Lutheran Church, located at 1 Christchurch Way, Columbia, IL 62236. The community was invited to come together to pray, light a candle, and show support for those affected.
Columbia High School Soccer also made a social media post saying, "Our hearts are broken, we are mourning the loss of a brother and teammate. Please for the families, our soccer family, school and community. #5 #ColumbiaStrong."
It shared a flyer of another candlelight vigil in Columbia, Illinois Monday night.