State Police in La Salle taken back by fatal crash numbers

You’ll be seeing more state police on county highways again as they continue to work on stopping an alarming trend.

The trend is car crash deaths, which in Bureau County are up more than 700% from their average over the last 5 years. LaSalle County is more than 250% higher than its average.

Master Sergeant Dave Keltner with the Illinois State Police said crash deaths are up statewide, but nothing like in the Illinois Valley. He says something unique about some of the crashes helps police figure out the cause to be distracted driving.

Keltner says State Police have gotten money from the federal government to help pay for their increased presence, which he says does help to prevent these kinds of accidents.