First responders at the scene of yesterday’s accident/Photo courtesy of WJBC.com

By Neil Doyle

PONTIAC – A child is in critical condition and a woman has been hospitalized after an SUV drove off I-55 into the Vermilion River near Pontiac Monday afternoon.

Illinois State Police say initial reports indicate that the car broke through a guard rail and landed in the Vermilion River Monday at 12:47 p.m. near mile marker 198.

ISP said the child and woman were rescued and transported to OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac.  Our news partner WMBD-TV reports the child was flown to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria and remains in critical condition.

Southbound lanes of I-55 were closed between exits 201 and 197 and rerouted to Route 66.

ISP are investigating the accident.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]