Winchester man reportedly fainted before I-72 accident: State police

By Gary Scott on June 30, 2016 at 7:44pm

A Winchester man was killed in a highway accident in Pike County this afternoon.

Illinois State Police reports indicate 66-year-old David Welsh was driving westbound on Interstate 72 just west of the interchange with Routes 107 and 54.

His passenger, 58-year-old Laura Welsh of Winchester, reportedly told police he fainted while driving, ran his 2013 Chevrolet Silverado off the roadway to the left, drove through a median, across into the eastbound lanes of I-72, down a ditch embankment and struck a tree.

Police say David Welsh then walked from the vehicle and collapsed; he was later pronounced dead at the scene. State police reports indicate Welsh had a history of heart problems.

The accident was reported at around 3 p.m.

Laura Welsh suffered minor injuries, according to reports, and was transported to Illini Community Hospital.