Ignored stop sign caused fatal Illinois crash

COBDEN, Ill. -- A traffic fatality at U.S. 51 and Bell Hill Road in Cobden is attributed to failing to obey a stop sign. According to Illinois State Police trooper Michael Usher, Cristian R. Godinez, 17, of Cobden, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital after his GMC truck collided with an International tractor-trailer Thursday afternoon. Godinez's 13-year-old brother, a passenger in the GMC truck, was taken to St. Louis Children's Hospital for his injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Don Ashbrook, 70, of Sullivan, Ill., received minor injuries and was released from a hospital Thursday, Usher said. Usher said that at 3 p.m. Thursday, Godinez was driving his GMC truck west on Bell Hill Road. Two witnesses said Godinez failed to stop at a stop sign at U.S. 51 and collided with the tractor-trailer traveling north on the highway.

Pertinent address:

U.S. Highway 51 and Bell Hill Road, Cobden, IL