Crash claims lives of two Southern Illinois University-Carbondale students


Two Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC) students are dead after a two-vehicle crash in Carbondale.

At 8 a.m. on Monday, police responded to the 1500 block of North Illinois (Route 51) for a two-vehicle crash.

Police in Carbondale said two trucks collided in a head-on crash. we’re told the driver of the vehicle going south was sent to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for serious injuries.

The two people in the northbound vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene, Carbondale police said.

The Jackson County Coroner said Wolfgang W. Gustaveson, 19, of Park Ridge, Ill., and Francis M. Martinez, 18, of Des Plaines, Ill., were identified as the two who lost their lives in the crash.

Police said both of these men were students at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and living on campus.

SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane shared a message with the SIU community:

Dear fellow Salukis:

We are brokenhearted to lose two members of the Saluki family, Wolfgang Gustaveson and Frank Martinez, in an auto accident this morning, and we extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends. Both students were majoring in automotive technology. Classes in automotive technology are canceled today.

Mental health counseling is available from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 618-453-5371. As we mourn this loss in our community, we will keep Wolfgang’s and Frank’s families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Austin A. Lane

Chancellor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale


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