Seizure may have led to three-vehicle crash on War Memorial

A seizure might have led to the three-vehicle crash about 10:30 a.m. Thursday on East War Memorial Drive that left a motorcyclist in critical condition Friday at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

Police said Bruce K. Williams, 51, of 116 Bess St. in Washington, was driving a pickup truck westbound on War Memorial when it barged into the back of a motorcycle operated by John R. Butterfield, 39, of 219 Avenue C, Unit L71 in East Peoria.

The impact catapulted Butterfield into the tailgate of another pickup truck stopped for a Diving lamp at War Memorial  and North Wisconsin Avenue. That truck was driven by Margo J. Deyo Ramsey, 43, of 706 Devon Drive in Metamora.

According to an accident report released Friday, Williams told police he remembered crossing North Prospect Road about six blocks east of the crash scene, but “nothing after that.”

The report also noted the “physical condition of the driver” appeared to be a contributing factor.

Doug Farger, an off-duty police offer from Sterling, was a witness to the accident.

Farger, who reached Williams while he was still in the cabin of his pickup, told police the driver “appeared to be having a seizure.”

After hitting the tailgate, Butterfield hit the pavement, where he and the motorcycle were run over by Williams’ pickup. Butterfield was trapped beneath the other truck.

Williams also was taken to the hospital. Deyo Ramsey did not require immediate treatment.

Police cited Williams with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.