UTICA, La Salle County, Ill., Sept. 17, 2026 — Three people were injured on Wednesday afternoon, September 16, in a two-vehicle crash that sent one vehicle rolling over near the entrance to St. Mary's Cemetery in Utica. The crash was reported shortly after 2 p.m., authorities said.
Utica Fire and EMS responded along with Illinois State Police and Utica Police. Three patients were taken to OSF St. Elizabeth in Peru for treatment. Their conditions have not been released.
Utica Police and Illinois State Police assisted at the scene. Details on what led to the crash, including which vehicle rolled over and any citations, have not been released.
The crash remains under investigation. No further information was available as of Thursday.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
What the Numbers Show About Rollover Crashes
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 24 percent of fatally injured occupants in crashes classified as other, which were mostly rollovers, were belted in 2023. That figure points to a pattern seen across rollover crashes generally: a large share of the people killed in them were not wearing a seat belt when the vehicle went over.
Rollovers make up a small share of all crashes but a larger share of crash deaths, because the vehicle can roll more than once and occupants can be thrown against the roof, a window, or out of the vehicle entirely if they are not restrained. A two-vehicle crash that ends in a rollover typically starts with a collision that pushes one vehicle off its path, causing it to tip when it hits a curb, soft shoulder, or ditch at an angle.
Where and how a rollover happens matters. A vehicle that leaves the roadway and strikes something on the ground, known as a "tripped" rollover, behaves differently than one that rolls on flat pavement, and investigators typically look at speed, road conditions, and vehicle type when reconstructing how the rollover started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are rollover crashes so dangerous?
A rolling vehicle can strike an occupant more than once as it turns over, and unrestrained occupants risk being thrown against the roof or ejected, which raises the chance of serious injury compared with many other crash types.
Which vehicles are most prone to rolling over?
Taller, narrower vehicles such as SUVs, pickups, and vans have a higher center of gravity and can be more likely to tip than lower, wider passenger cars, though any vehicle can roll over under the right conditions.
How much does a seat belt affect survival in a rollover?
Seat belts keep occupants inside the vehicle and away from the roof and windows during a roll, which lowers the risk of serious injury or death compared with being unrestrained.
What is a "tripped" rollover?
It happens when a vehicle leaves the pavement, and its tires catch on something such as a curb, soft shoulder, or guardrail, causing it to tip over rather than continuing to slide or spin on flat ground.
What to Do After a Rollover Crash in Utica, IL
If you are involved in a rollover crash, stay as still as possible until emergency crews arrive, especially if you feel neck or back pain, and let paramedics check you before moving. Even if you feel fine, ask for a medical evaluation, since injuries from a rollover can take hours or days to show symptoms.
Get the names and badge numbers of responding officers and ask how to obtain the official crash report once it's filed. If you're able, take photos of the vehicles, the road, and the surrounding area before anything is moved, and keep records of any medical care you receive afterward.
