I really hope this wasn't anyone on here...
Four killed after car goes off Poplar Street Bridge<!-- Start: /pubsys/production/story/assets/external_link.comp --><!-- End: /pubsys/production/story/assets/external_link.comp -->
<!-- no polls to display --><!-- END /pubsys/production/story/story_assets.comp -->BY CAROLYN P. SMITH
News-Democrat
EAST ST. LOUIS --
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Four men were killed Friday night on the westbound lanes of Interstate 64-55-70-in an accident that authorities initially said was caused by excessive speed.
Three of the victims are related to civic leaders in East St. Louis.
The accident occurred at 10:29 p.m. near Eighth and Trendley streets when a gray Mercury Marauder carrying the four victims struck a vehicle in front of it, burst into flames and then flew off the roadway. It landed underneath the collector-distributor lanes that lead to the Poplar Street Bridge.
The victims are Anthony N. Brooks, 31, of 129 Hillwood Drive in Belleville; Harry Hollingsworth III, 33, of Madison; Tramell Jackson, 20, of East St. Louis; and Thurmon Mumphard, 31, of East St. Louis.
Brooks was the nephew of Lonzo Greenwood, who is president of the East St. Louis District 189 school board. Brooks was taken to St. Louis University Hospital, where he later died, St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone said.
Hollingsworth was pronounced dead at 12:38 a.m. at the scene. His death was the result of massive head injuries, Stone said. He was the son of Democratic Precinct Committeeman Harry Hollingsworth.
Jackson was the grandson of Councilman Eddie L. Jackson.
"The victims were traveling too fast for conditions, and the traffic in front of them had slowed down," Illinois State Police Trooper Ralph Timmins said. "They hit the back of the car in front of them, went underneath the car, then traveled off the interstate and-burst into flames. The car ended up underneath the highway."
Two of the victims were ejected, Stone said.
It was not immediately known who was driving. Police did not know where the victims had been or were going.
Timmins said the case is still being investigated by state police and East St. Louis police.
Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.
I have a friend who was an officer on the scene and he said it was one of the worst wrecks he has ever seen.