Illinois State Police are investigating a vehicle crash on I-55 near South Grand Avenue that sent 3 people to the hospital on Friday afternoon. A preliminary investigation showed that a 2020 black Dodge driven by 23-year-old Timothy R. Gruen of Greenville was merging onto Southbound 55 from the South Grand Avenue exit ramp. The vehicle was slowed at the end of the ramp yielding to traffic when a 2015 white Dodge driven by 29-year-old Jeanne E. Clark of Springfield rear-ended Gruen. Clark's vehicle continued across all lanes of traffic coming to a rest after striking a concrete barrier.  

Gruen and Clark both went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Clark also had a passenger who was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Gruen’s passenger refused medical help. 

Clark was issued a citation for the failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.