Driver Dies Friday Afternoon During Incident on Moccasin Road, but Likely Not Due to Crash (UPDATE)

Authorities say that a local man involved in a crash in Effingham County on Friday afternoon died, but the crash did not cause the death.

Illinois State Police report the crash occurred at 2:14pm on Moccasin Road, east of Cardinal Lane. A truck driven by 75-year-old Howard Rentfrow of Effingham was traveling west when the truck left the road to the right and struck a ditch and culvert. Rentfrow was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana at 6:47pm Friday.

State Police say the driver was taken to a regional hospital with what were termed life-threatening injuries. However, Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer said preliminary information indicates Rentfrow likely suffered a medical event prior to the crash, and did not die from injuries sustained in the crash.

The death is being investigated by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office and the Champaign County Coroner's Office.