BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A 24-year-old woman was killed early Tuesday morning after her vehicle left the roadway and struck both a tree and a residence in Bloomington, according to local authorities. The crash occurred around 4:30 a.m. on September 23 in the 400 block of West Graham Street, prompting an emergency response from police and fire crews.
The Bloomington Police Department said officers arrived at the scene alongside the Bloomington Fire Department, who worked quickly to extricate the driver from the wreckage. Due to the seriousness of the incident, the McLean County Accident Reconstruction Team was called to assist in the investigation. Despite rescue efforts, the sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene by the McLean County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities have identified the victim as Jessica J. Wimp, 24, of Bloomington. Preliminary autopsy results revealed she died from multiple blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash. Toxicology testing is pending, and investigators have not yet determined what caused the vehicle to veer off the road. Officials noted the car was traveling northbound on Lee Street before it left the roadway, collided with a tree, and then crashed into a nearby residence.
Fortunately, no other injuries were reported, though the full extent of property damage to the residence has not yet been released. Residents of the home were not injured in the collision. The incident has left neighbors in shock, with many expressing condolences to the victim’s family as investigators continue piecing together the events leading up to the deadly crash.
Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victim’s loved ones while emphasizing the importance of safe driving. “Traffic collisions negatively impact families for generations, and employing safe driving habits at all times is imperative to saving lives,” Simington said. “Before putting a vehicle in motion, pledge to drive defensively and safely on every trip. Each of us has a tremendous responsibility to one another as we navigate the roadways in this community.”
The Bloomington Police Department, the McLean County Accident Reconstruction Team, and the McLean County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to contact the Bloomington Police Department at 309-820-8888.