IL Woman Judy McLeese ID’d As Driver In Saturday Fatal Peoria Wrong-Way Crash

PEORIA, IL. (THECOUNT) — Judy McLeese, of Peoria, Illinois, has been identified as the wrong-way driver killed on Interstate 74 on Saturday night.

McLeese, 64, was reportedly traveling in the wrong direction on I-74 Saturday night when she struck a recreational vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

First responders responded to a call of a wrong-way driver on I-70 near the N. Gale Avenue exit after 7:30 Saturday night, according to officials.

McLeese collided head on with James F. Estep, 45, of Manassas, Virginia. He was driving a 2009 Fiesta Recreational Vehicle, reports CentralIllinoisProud.

“There is one fatality. The occupants of the RV are fine, refused treatment at the scene. But, the driver of the compact car is deceased,” Illinois State Police Sergeant Tony Halsey said.

McLeese was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

Family members and friends took to Facebook to remember McLeese:

According to Facebook, McLeese was a certified nursing assistant at Heddington Oaks Nursing Home and a caregiver at Active Way Home Health Care.

The crash remains under investigation.

Geo quick facts: Peoria is a city in central Illinois. Set on the Illinois River, the Peoria Riverfront Museum has a striking, contemporary design. It offers a planetarium, a sculpture garden and a collection of fine art. Northeast, near Peoria Lake, Glen Oak Park includes the Luthy Botanical Garden and the Peoria Zoo. West of the city, Wildlife Prairie Park has forest trails and native animals, including bison, cougars and bears – wikipedia.