Tejaswi Patha Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the names of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in a two-vehicle collision that occurred Friday evening near the border of Kankakee and Will counties on Illinois Route 50. According to Will County Coroner Laurie H. Summers, 35-year-old Tejaswi Patha of Aurora was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was a passenger in a minivan involved in the crash with a semitractor-trailer at the intersection of County Line Road (12000 North Road, Kankakee County) and Illinois Route 50, just south of Peotone.
Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner also confirmed that 55-year-old Ramadan Patha of Plainfield passed away after being taken to Riverside Medical Center for treatment. Both families have been notified of the tragedy.
Authorities reported that four additional passengers from the minivan sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical care. Among them, a juvenile passenger was airlifted to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago for specialized treatment, according to a statement from the Manhattan Fire Protection District.
The accident took place at approximately 7:37 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the Illinois State Police, local fire departments, and emergency medical teams. The area where the crash occurred — the intersection of Illinois Route 50 and 12000 North Road — has been the scene of several serious and fatal collisions over the past two years, raising ongoing safety concerns among first responders and local residents.
Coroner Gessner stated that, based on preliminary findings, the minivan was traveling east on 12000 North Road and may have failed to stop at the stop sign before entering the intersection. At the same time, the semi-truck, traveling north on Illinois Route 50, struck the side of the minivan. The impact caused significant damage, leaving several occupants trapped inside.
Emergency crews from Monee, Manteno, Frankfort, and University Park fire districts were called in to assist with the rescue operations. A LifeStar medical helicopter was also dispatched to the site to support patient transport efforts. Crews worked through the evening, carefully extracting victims, providing medical aid, and assisting Illinois State Police investigators in documenting the scene.
Responders remained at the location for several hours to ensure the area was safe and to support the ongoing investigation into the cause of the collision. Illinois State Police confirmed that the investigation is still active as they work to determine all contributing factors.
This tragic incident adds to a growing list of serious crashes at this same intersection. On September 22, state police investigated a two-vehicle crash at the site that resulted in one person being hospitalized. Just over a month earlier, on August 8, James Trotter of Frankfort lost his life in a three-vehicle crash at the same location.
In a statement, the Manhattan Fire Protection District expressed deep concern over the continued pattern of collisions at this stretch of roadway. “This crash represents another serious and fatal incident at the intersection of Route 50 and County Line Road,” the department said. “This location continues to present significant safety challenges for motorists and emergency responders.”
Local authorities have indicated that safety reviews and discussions about potential improvements for the intersection are ongoing. Residents in the surrounding area have repeatedly voiced worries about visibility and traffic flow at the crossing, which is known to be particularly dangerous during high-traffic hours and low-light conditions.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging drivers to remain vigilant, obey all traffic signs, and approach the area with heightened caution. The Illinois State Police, Will and Kankakee County Coroners’ Offices, and multiple fire protection districts continue to coordinate efforts to determine what led to Friday’s devastating crash and explore possible measures to prevent future tragedies on this section of Route 50.
