Five killed in Massac County crash

JOPPA, Ill. -- Five people were killed in head-on collision Thursday night on Grand Chain Road near Joppa in Southern Illinois, according to the Illinois State Police.

The accident occurred when a van driven by Luke Slusher, 21, of Ullin, Ill., failed to properly negotiate a curve, crossed the centerline and struck a car driven by 50-year-old Rhonda J. Wilson, 50, of Grand Chain, Ill. The van continued off the roadway while the car slid down an embankment and burst into flames.

Three people in the van were killed: Slusher; Matthew R. Fouche, 24, of Anna, Ill.; and Andrew J. Rarrick, 21, of Ullin, Ill.

Two other van passengers, Renee Rentfro, 20, of Metropolis, Ill., in critical condition, and Ryan E. Stuart, 22, of Ullin, in serious condition, were airlifted to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Both Wilson and her passenger, Breana N. Wilson, 16, were also killed. The Massac County coroner's office said the two were mother and daughter.

All five were pronounced dead at the scene.