Photos: Two medical helicopters respond to crash near Troy Grove

Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded to a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of East 8th Road and U.S. Route 52 between Triumph and Troy Grove on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The crash occurred shortly after 5:30p.m., and prompted a large emergency response, including two OSF Life Flight helicopters. Two patients were airlifted to regional trauma centers, one to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria and another to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, while a third patient was transported by ambulance to OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru. Fire and EMS personnel from La Salle, Mendota, Troy Grove, Utica, Earlville and Peru assisted at the scene.

A patient is loaded into an OSF Life Flight helicopter that was involved in a multiple-vehicle crash near the intersection of East 8th Road and U.S. Route 52 on Sunday, July 12, 2026 near Troy Grove. Two OSF Life Flight helicopters were called to the scene. One patient was airlifted to St. Anthony's Medical Center in Rockford and the other to OSF St. Francis in Peoria.

A third person was taken by ambulance to OSF St. Elizabeth in Peru. The crash happened shortly after 5:30p.m. Fire and EMS departments from La Salle, Mendota, Troy Grove, Utica, Earlville and Peru were requested to the scene.

(Scott Anderson)