QUINCY, Adams County, Ill., Oct. 15, 2026 — A three-vehicle crash in a highway work zone injured two people on Tuesday afternoon, October 13, on Illinois 96 near Ursa, according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded at about 3:08 p.m. to Illinois 96 North and North 2050th Avenue, where the highway had been reduced to one lane for road work. A flagger was holding traffic with a stop sign at the time of the crash.
According to the sheriff's office, a 71-year-old Wildwood, Mo., man driving a Kia Niro had stopped behind another vehicle in the queue. A 57-year-old Quincy man in a Hyundai Santa Fe stopped behind him. A 31-year-old Quincy man driving a Ford box truck then failed to slow down and hit the back of the Santa Fe. That impact pushed the Santa Fe off the road to the right before the box truck also struck the Kia.
All three vehicles needed to be towed. The Kia driver and his 72-year-old passenger, also of Wildwood, were checked at the scene and reported no injuries. The box truck driver was treated for injuries described as minor, and the Santa Fe driver's injuries were described as moderate; both were taken to Blessing Hospital.
The box truck driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. The sheriff's office noted the charge reflects probable cause and that he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The crash remains under investigation. Adams County Ambulance, the Ursa Fire Department, and the Mendon Fire Department assisted at the scene.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Why Multi-Vehicle Pileups in Work Zones Do So Much Damage
A crash in a work zone usually involves vehicles that are stopped or moving slowly, which should lower the stakes. But when a vehicle approaching from behind never slows down, the energy of that impact gets passed down the line like a line of pool balls. The vehicle in front absorbs the hit, then transfers much of that force into whatever is ahead of it, so a single failure to brake can turn into two separate collisions in seconds.
The outcome also depends heavily on what's hitting what. A loaded box truck can weigh several times as much as a passenger car or SUV, so even a modest closing speed produces a large difference in force between the vehicles involved. Bumpers and crumple zones are engineered to manage impacts within a certain range of weight and speed; when that range is exceeded, the structure built to absorb the hit instead passes more of it straight through to the vehicle and its occupants.
Work zones add another layer of risk that goes beyond the vehicles themselves. Flaggers, construction crews, and stopped drivers are usually standing or sitting just feet from live traffic lanes. A secondary impact, like the one that pushed a vehicle off the roadway in this crash, can put workers and bystanders in the path of a vehicle that never intended to leave the road. That is part of why work zone crashes carry added danger for people outside the vehicles, not just those inside them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typically causes multi-vehicle pileups?
Most chain-reaction crashes start when one driver fails to notice or react to slowing or stopped traffic ahead, usually because of speed, distraction, or reduced visibility. Once the first impact happens, following vehicles have little time to stop before adding to the collision.
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen so commonly in work zones?
Work zones frequently force traffic to slow suddenly or merge into a single lane, and drivers who aren't paying close attention may not adjust in time. The narrower lanes and nearby workers also mean there's less room for error.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a pileup?
Leaving extra following distance, watching for brake lights and flaggers well ahead, and slowing down as soon as work zone signs appear can give drivers more time to react safely.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay inside the vehicle if it's safe to do so, and move as far from traffic lanes as possible. If you must exit, watch for approaching traffic and keep people away from the roadway edge.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Quincy, IL
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, check yourself and others for injuries first and call 911 even if the damage looks minor. Some injuries, particularly from rear impacts, don't show symptoms right away, so it's worth being evaluated by medical personnel at the scene or soon after.
Move to a safe location away from traffic if your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so, and wait for law enforcement to document the scene. Get the names and contact information of everyone involved, along with photos of vehicle positions and damage, and request a copy of the official crash report once it's available.
Follow up with your own doctor in the days after the crash, especially if soreness, stiffness, or other symptoms appear. Keep records of any medical visits and vehicle repair estimates, since these details can matter later even if everything feels fine at first.
