A Louisiana man was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking on Interstate 64 east of Mt. Vernon early Friday morning.
Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse said 30-year-old Travon Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma sustained in the crash.
According to Hayse, Thomas’ wife said their vehicle had run out of gas and Thomas was walking back toward Mt. Vernon. Authorities said he was walking in the interstate’s passing lane when he was struck by a mid-size car.
Illinois State Police have not released the identity of the driver or additional details about how the crash occurred. The investigation remains ongoing.
The crash was reported at approximately 4:06 a.m., about seven miles east of Mt. Vernon. The eastbound lanes of I-64 were closed while authorities investigated, with traffic diverted onto Illinois Route 37 until approximately 8 a.m.