State Police vehicle struck man at Linton Avenue intersection
April 25, 2026 | Springfield, IL
A 45-year-old Springfield resident, Charles Henderson, lost his life early Saturday morning after being struck by an Illinois State Police trooper's squad car near the intersection of S. Sixth Street and E. Linton Avenue.
Charles Henderson, 45, died after being struck by an Illinois State Police vehicle while in the roadway at Sixth Street and Linton Avenue in Springfield, Sangamon County.
What Happened in the Crash?
According to Illinois State Police reports, Henderson was bent down in the roadway around 2:30 a.m. when a southbound trooper's vehicle, traveling in the middle lane and approaching a green light, collided with him. The impact occurred at the busy urban intersection, highlighting potential visibility challenges in low-light conditions.
- Victim: Charles Henderson, 45, of Springfield
- Location: S. Sixth Street and East Linton Avenue, Springfield, IL
- Time: Approximately 2:30 a.m. on April 25
- Vehicle Involved: Illinois State Police squad car, southbound
- Immediate Response: The trooper provided aid until emergency medical services arrived, and Henderson was transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital
- Outcome: Henderson was pronounced dead at the hospital around 3:12 a.m.
The trooper's identity has not been publicly disclosed as the investigation continues.
How Is the Incident Being Investigated?
The crash is under review by the Illinois State Police's Division of Internal Investigation, in accordance with the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act. This process aims to thoroughly examine all factors, including road conditions, visibility, and driver actions, to determine the sequence of the crash.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian collisions often stem from a mix of environmental and behavioral factors. In Illinois, urban roadways with varying lighting and traffic volumes contribute to these risks. National trends show a rise in such incidents, partly due to larger vehicles like SUVs and pickups obscuring sightlines.
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Total Motor Vehicle Crashes in Illinois |
299,133 |
Illinois Department of Transportation |
Pedestrian-Involved Crashes Percentage |
1.5% |
Illinois Department of Transportation |
Pedestrian Fatalities Share of All Fatal Crashes |
17.3% |
Illinois Department of Transportation |
Pedestrian Share of Injury Crashes |
6.8% |
Illinois Department of Transportation |
Total Pedestrian Deaths in Motor Vehicle Incidents |
195 |
Illinois Department of Transportation |
National Increase in Pedestrian Fatalities Since 2013 |
Nearly 60% |
Governors Highway Safety Association |
Data underscores the heightened vulnerability of pedestrians, even though they represent a small fraction of overall traffic incidents. For a broader context, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that pedestrian deaths have surged nationwide, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure and awareness.
Legal Insights on Pedestrian Crashes
In cases such as this involving motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians, national legal analysts provide valuable perspectives on contributing elements and potential recourse.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, managing partner with Bond Legal. “An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision.”
- Drivers bear the primary duty to yield to pedestrians in roadways.
- Families may pursue claims for loss of income, companionship, pain and suffering, funeral costs, and emotional distress.
- Professional guidance ensures fair treatment against insurance pressures for low settlements.
- Reconstruction professionals can clarify complex crash dynamics.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages... An attorney can help compassionately guide a family through this difficult time while protecting their rights.”
These general observations highlight the importance of thorough investigations in pedestrian-related incidents to support affected families.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).