Aug. 30, 2026Updated Aug. 31, 2026, 11:28 a.m. CT
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Two people died in a motorcycle crash involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 74 in Knoxville early Sunday.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:13 a.m. on August 30, according to Illinois State Police. The motorcycle collided with a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction, resulting in both riders being ejected. The Knox County Coroner’s Office confirmed the victims sustained injuries incompatible with life and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Brian Boyer, 19, of Monmouth, was transported to OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center. Following his release from the hospital, Boyer was arrested and faces charges of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide.
The Knox County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the identities of the victims on Monday, as some names have already circulated on social media. The office urged the public to respect the families’ privacy during their time of grief.
Interstate 74’s westbound lane was closed due to the crash but reopened at approximately 8 a.m. Sunday.