Note: This story has been updated to reflect the identity of the victim who died in Tuesday’s accident.
A Gilson man was killed in a crash involving a side-by-side and a car Tuesday afternoon on US 150 near Gilson in rural Knox County. The incident occurred at approximately 3:54 p.m. in the 1600 block of US Highway 150E, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Preliminary reports indicate that a 75-year-old man from Gilson, driving an orange Kubota side-by-side, crossed the road southbound in front of a sedan driven by a 24-year-old Galesburg man, resulting in a collision. The Gilson man, identified as Rex Gibbs by Knox County Coroner Jacque Dare, was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the Galesburg driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Dare said Gibbs died as a result of blunt force trauma.
US Highway 150 East was closed in both directions due for nearly three hours while the accident was being investigated.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating, with charges pending the outcome. Assisting agencies included GHAS, Knoxville Fire/First Responders, Williamsfield Fire, Oak Run First Responders, Illinois State Police, and the Knox County Coroner.
