IL Man Lawrence Taylor ID’d As Victim In Friday Fatal Mount Zion Crash

MACON COUNTY, IL. (THECOUNT) — Lawrence E. Taylor, of Decatur, Illinois, has been identified as the victim in a fatal crash on Illinois 121, according to the Macon County coroner’s office on Saturday.

Taylor, 32, was operating a pickup truck when he collided with a semi trailer at the highway’s intersection with Spitler Park Plaza.

The semi-truck was driven by Zachary T. Jenkins, 19, of Decatur.

In a statement, Macon County Coroner Michael Day said Taylor suffered massive head and internal chest/abdominal trauma. He had to be extricated by fire crews, reports Herald-Review.

Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene. A child also in the pickup named Lainey, was critically injured in the crash.

Lainey was airlifted to an out-of-county hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.

State police said a preliminary investigation showed that the Taylor’s truck was traveling northbound on Illinois 121, while the semi-truck was stopped at Spitler Park Plaza.

The semi pulled out in front of the pickup truck while turning south onto the highway, and the truck struck the side of the semi.

Jenkins was taken by ambulance to a hospital for evaluation. He was cited for failure to yield.

Routine toxicology results and an inquest are pending, Day said.

The crash remains under investigation.

Friends and family members took to Facebook to remember the beloved father:

According to social media, Taylor worked at RR Donnelley & Sons and was the owner of Fatfish General contracting. He was formerly employed at C.H.I. Overhead Doors.

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Geo quick facts: Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 110,768. Its county seat is Decatur. Macon County comprises the Decatur, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area – Wikipedia.