Two people were killed and four others were injured in a three-vehicle crash Thursday involving a garbage truck and two SUVs near Peotone, police said.
At 11:19 a.m., state troopers responded to a crash on U.S. Route 45, south of Offner Road, between Manhattan and Peotone, according to a statement from Illinois State Police.
The Manhattan Fire Protection District was brought in to assist with the crash, according to a news release from the Frankfort Fire Protection District.
An SUV and a garbage truck struck each other head on, and another SUV was involved, the release states.
Illinois State Police said two people were killed and four were injured and transported to area hospitals for treatment.
The driver of the garbage truck was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, the Frankfort fire district said. The driver and passenger of the SUV that collided with the garbage truck were pronounced dead at the scene. Three of the four occupants of the second SUV were taken to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee with minor injuries, the fire district said.
The roadway was closed while police investigated the crash. All lanes were reopened at 4:26 p.m., according to state police.
Illinois State Police said an investigation is continuing.
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
