McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder is releasing the following information regarding the
single vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 55 northbound near milepost 170 on May 15, 2023, in the
Boyd Wesley Park Pond, Towanda, Illinois.
Preliminary information suggests a single vehicle left the roadway to the east and became
submerged in a pond. Responding Illinois State Police Troop 5 personnel entered the water to
locate any victims and were unsuccessful. After a dive team from the Hudson Fire Department
arrived on scene a tow cable was used to remove the vehicle from the water. The McLean
County Sheriff’s Department, the Towanda Fire Department, the Hudson Fire Department, the
Normal Fire Department, and IDOT were already on scene.
Pronounced deceased on May 15, 2023, at 11: 37 pm was Rick J. Plourde, age 60, of
Bloomington, Illinois. Preliminary autopsy opinion indicates that Mr. Plourde died from
drowning. Toxicology testing is pending.
This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office and the
Illinois State Police.
