CARMI – Five people were airlifted to regional trauma centers for injuries they received in a two-vehicle head-on crash Sunday afternoon on Illinois 1 at County Road 1350 North in White County.

White County Sheriff Jordan Weiss says a gray Ford Escape, driven by Chris Lochard of Madison, IN, with two other Indiana residents inside was going south on Illinois 1 and struck a gray Chevy Tahoe with two local residents inside going in the opposite direction. The Tahoe driver was identified as 46-year-old Elizabeth Quillman of Norris City. The passenger’s name was not available.

For unknown reasons at this time, the Ford Escape drifted into the northbound lane, striking the Chevy Tahoe head-on a few feet off of the roadway.

One of the vehicles was smoking. Fire extinguishers were used by officers on scene. The White County Ambulance Service, Edwards County Ambulance Service, and the Carmi Fire Department arrived on scene. Five helicopters from AirEvac Lifeteam were also sent to take those injured away for treatment.

Sheriff Weiss says the crash investigation continues.