Illinois Man Killed In Crash On I-55

TILLATOBIA – Traffic was shut down for two hours Thursday afternoon, April 17, on I-55 just south of Tillatobia after an Illinois man lost control of his 2001 Hyundai according to Sheriff Lance Humphreys. 

    The vehicle overturned several times before coming to rest upside down on the right lane near mile-marker 218, reported Sgt. Leslie White with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.

    The driver of the vehicle, Billy Rivers Sr., of Springfield Illinois was pronounced dead on the scene by Yalobusha Coroner Ronnie Stark. The single passenger in the vehicle, Rivers’ 10-year old son sustained moderate injuries after being ejected from the vehicle, according to White. The patient was transported to Grenada Lake Medical Center and was later airlifted to LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis. Humphreys also said the two had been headed to a funeral.

    Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt, according to Sgt. White. Humphreys and deputies assisted at the accident scene. Other agencies responding included the Yalobusha EMS, Grenada EMS, the Tillatobia Volunteer Fire Department and Air Evac of Batesville.