An Altona man was pronounced dead Saturday after an accident on U.S. 34 in Knox County. Another man from Pennsylvania is facing Reckless Homicide charges.
Authorities have identified the deceased as 39-year-old Joshua Baumgardner who was pronounced dead on scene by Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas.
Baumgardner was driving a Toyota Prius in 2100 Block of U.S. 34, when a Nissan, driven by 31-year-old Jamal Jenkins Jr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was traveling south and collided with Baumgardner attempting to pass another vehicle.
When deputies arrived on the scene Saturday just before 4 p.m., they say Jenkins’ Nissan was resting on its top and both it and Baumgardner’s vehicle were on the east shoulder.
Jenkins had three juvenile passengers with him; two males ages 7 and 8 and a 4-year-old female. The children were transported by helicopter to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria where their status is unknown at this time, pending family notification.
Jenkins faces charges including Reckless Homicide, Endangering the Life or health of a child, and aggravated reckless driving.
Crews responding to the scene included Knox County and Galesburg Police’s Accident Response Teams, Galesburg Hospital Ambulance Service, Illinois State Police and the Knox County Coroner.
