1957 — May 25, Two car collision kills two families IL Hwy. 116 near Benson, IL — 11

–11 AP. “11 Dead in Illinois’ Worst Auto Crash.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 5-27-1957, p.1.
–11 AP. “Two…Families Erased in Fiery Crash.” Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. 5-28-1957, p.1.

Narrative Information

May 27, AP: “Benson, Ill., May 27 (AP) – Two cars carried four adults and seven children to their death Saturday [25th] and investigators studied the wreckage today to learn the cause of the fiery, high-speed crash. Two families – one from Streator, Ill., the other from Bloomington, Ill. – were wiped out in the deadly pileup on Illinois Highway 116, about a mile west of Benson in north central Illinois. State police said evidence indicated both cars were traveling in the same easterly direction on the straight, two-lane paved highway. There were no survivors and no witnesses to the crash. Investigators also considered the possibility that a third car may have been involved, forcing the cars off the highway in an attempt to pass.

“One car slammed into a tree and burst into flames, trapping a couple and their four children inside. The other car careened into a pole, killing its occupants – a couple and their three children. Trapped and killed in the car that burned were: James Block, 27,Sstreator; his wife Vernie Mae, 24; and their children, Peggy, 4, Gloria, 3, Deborah, 2, and Jimmie, 3 months. Occupants of the other car were: Dr. George C. von Steenberg, 37, A Bloomington, Ill., dentist; his wife Helen Nancy, 33; and their children, George Dennis, 11, Janice, 4, and Julie, 2.

“National Safety Council officials said the toll of 11 dead in one crash was the highest fatality figure ever recorded on Illinois highways in their memory.

“Twelve persons died in a two-car collision near Slayton, Minn., in 1940.” (Associated Press. “Two Complete Families Erased in Fiery Crash.” Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. 5-28-1957, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “11 Dead in Illinois’ Worst Auto Crash.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 5-27-1957, p1. Accessed 3-1-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/mt-vernon-register-news-may-27-1957-p-1/

Associated Press. “Two Complete Families Erased in Fiery Crash.” Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. 5-28-1957, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/corsicana-semi-weekly-light-may-28-1957-p-1/