KANKAKEE, Ill. — A tragic accident early Sunday morning in the historic Kankakee Riverview neighborhood claimed the lives of three local men. The incident, which unfolded shortly after 1 a.m., has left the community in shock as authorities continue their investigation.
The Kankakee County Coroner, Bob Gessner, confirmed the identities of the victims later Sunday. They include Kiyantis Riley, 45, Philip Birdsong, 48, and Jeffrey Clark II, 41, all residents of Kankakee. According to initial reports, Riley was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Witnesses reported that the 2008 GMC Yukon was traveling westbound at a high speed when it veered off the road and collided with a tree. The impact of the crash proved fatal, as the coroner’s office noted that all three men were pronounced dead at the scene.
When emergency responders, including the Kankakee Police and Fire Departments, arrived shortly after the accident, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. First responders attempted to reach the occupants but were quickly forced back due to the heat and intensity of the fire. Both law enforcement and firefighting personnel worked diligently at the scene but were unable to save the men.
All next-of-kin have been notified, according to Gessner, who also stated that the investigation is being conducted by the Kankakee Police Department, the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office, and the Illinois State Police. Authorities are working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the crash.
As the investigation unfolds, the Kankakee community is mourning the sudden loss of three men who were known to many. Although details remain under investigation, the city is coming together to support the families affected by this heart-wrenching incident.