Tragic Accident Claims Life of Infant in Urbana Crash

URBANA, Ill. — An infant has died from injuries sustained in a four-vehicle accident Thursday evening in southeast Urbana, authorities reported.

Urbana police stated the 2-month-old child was initially transported to Carle Foundation Hospital by ambulance before being transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital where the child later passed away. The St. Louis medical examiner’s office is investigating the death.

Officers responded to the crash at the intersection of Philo Road and Colorado Avenue at 5:52 p.m. Thursday, finding Urbana Fire Department personnel treating occupants of the vehicles involved. According to police, a GMC Envoy traveling east on Colorado failed to stop at the intersection, striking a northbound Subaru Outback that was turning west onto Colorado.

The Envoy subsequently collided with a Chrysler Pacifica headed north on Philo, directly impacting the vehicle’s driver-side sliding door where the infant was secured in a car seat. The Envoy continued to slide through the intersection and struck a Chevy Equinox heading west on Colorado.

In the van with the infant were her two siblings and their mother, who was driving. Both siblings and the mother were treated at Carle Foundation Hospital and subsequently released. “The exact injuries to all parties are still being investigated,” police noted.

Kartila Brooks, the driver of the Envoy, was also taken to Carle and issued citations for disobeying a stop sign and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, the latter being a Class A misdemeanor following bodily harm.

The investigation remains ongoing, with officers canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage. Police encourage anyone with information or video evidence related to the accident to contact them at 217-384-2320. Those wishing to remain anonymous can reach out to Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 or through the free “P3 Tips” mobile app, potentially earning cash rewards for pertinent information.