Superintendent says two Pittsfield High School students injured in Tuesday accident recovering in regional hospitals

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Two Pittsfield High School students who were injured in Tuesday night’s fatal three-vehicle accident on Illinois Route 106 are recovering after being taken to regional hospitals.

Superintendent Todd Fox provided updates on Lincoln McCartney and Deeghan Allen on the Pikeland Community Unit School District Facebook page Wednesday night.

Fox said McCartney, a freshman, was transported to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. He said she is in stable condition and will continue to be monitored by the hospital’s trauma and neurological teams.

“She was monitored through the night by the trauma team and today underwent a procedure to repair and restore a scalp injury, as well as minor cuts and fractures,” he wrote. “She has been conscious and alert throughout.”

Fox said Allen, a sophomore, was transported to St. John’s in Springfield, where she successfully underwent surgeries to repair a broken bone in her neck and a skull fracture.

“Her focus now is on recovery,” Allen wrote. “While she does have feeling throughout her body, the extent of her full physical recovery remains uncertain. She has a long journey ahead, but as her dad said, “She has the most perfect angel watching over her, telling her to suck it up and let’s get it!”

A preliminary investigation from the Illinois State Police indicated the accident occurred on Illinois 106, just east of 335^th Street, in Pittsfield Township at approximately 6:21 p.m. Tuesday.

A black 2016 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Eric Harris, 72, of Springfield was traveling east on Illinois 106 behind an orange 2010 Case Magnum truck tractor, driven by Nathan Reed, 51, of Barry. A silver 2014 Jeep driven by Allen was traveling west on Illinois 106. The Silverado tried to pass the truck tractor and struck the Jeep in a head-on collision. The Silverado and the Jeep then struck the truck tractor, which was overturned.

The ISP reported Harris, Allen and McCartney were transported via Life Flight to local area hospitals. Reed was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

A passenger in the Silverado, a 68-year-old woman, and Reese Ramsey, a freshman at Pittsfield High School, were pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Allen and Ramsey were stepsisters. Ramsey, McCartney and Allen were teammates on the girls basketball team at Pittsfield. They were travelling to Barry to watch a boys basketball game at Western High School.

Classes were cancelled on Wednesday in Pittsfield. Fox said classes on Thursday are scheduled to be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. High school students have been invited to the Crossroads Center to gather.

“We are canceling our teachers’ school improvement activities in order for them to be available for our students and for each other,” Fox wrote.

All practices and games are canceled for Thursday.

Fox said school counselors, additional counselors and local ministers will be available Thursday and Friday for students.

“Every student and adult is going to handle this differently, and that is OK,” Fox wrote. “We just want to make sure that all of our students’ needs are met.”

Fox also shared a note he sent to the district staff on Wednesday night.

“We talk about our philosophy being, ‘Love first, teach second, in that order,’” Fox wrote. “Tomorrow and for days to come, our philosophy will be and needs to be love first … love second … just love. Tomorrow will look different for each of you. 

“Some will go ahead and try to have class. Some will not open a book. And both are absolutely fine. There is no wrong or right.  Tomorrow will not be perfect.  And that is absolutely fine.  Teaching is an art and not a science, and so is love.”