Six people injured, 10-year-old dead after car crashes into crowd on Grant Avenue

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Springfield police were dispatched to a crash at Grant and Mount Vernon at 3:03 p.m.

A 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Lonnie Yeager, 35, of Springfield, was northbound on Grant Avenue when he reportedly experienced a medical episode. The vehicle went off the roadway striking a group of adults and children standing on the sidewalk on the northeast corner of Grant and Mt. Vernon. A passenger in the vehicle was able to place the vehicle in park but not until after several persons were injured.

A total of six persons were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The driver, Yeager, was treated for non-life threatening injures. Two Campbell Elementary employees, Pam Gagney, 52,of Springfield, and Elisa Schmidt, 49, of Springfield were transported and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Three male children ages 10, 6, and 10 were also transported to hospitals. Two of the juveniles were treated and are currently in stable condition. One child, Riddick A. Tudor, 10, of Springfield died as a result of injuries received in the crash. The next of kin has been notified.

The Springfield Police Department Traffic Section is conducting an investigation and impairment does not appear to be a factor at this time. This is the thirteenth fatality in Springfield for 2017 and the third fatality of a pedestrian.