Fatal Fulton County Crash

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By WEEK Reporter

Story Published: Jul 23, 2009 at 9:58 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2009 at 7:19 PM CDT

Fulton County Sheriff's police say 52-year old Scotty L. Clifford, Junior and 81-year old Arthur L. Church both died at the scene of the accident Wednesday just east of Banner of U-S Route-24.

Police say Clifford was southbound and attempting to pass another vehicle and struck Church's northbound vehicle.

Clifford's father, Scotty Clifford, Senior was a passenger and life-flighted to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.

Police say 24 was closed for about two hours yesterday afternoon while Illinois State Police did accident reconstruction work.

Thursday, Jul 30 at 5:50 PM tautiana wrote ...

he was like a fater to me he was the greatest man i knew and now hes gone and he will always be in my heart and im so sorry for the other victims family please listen to me when i say this all of those who are leaving me and horrible comments are only doing it because they have never lost a loved one who was extremely close to them and if you only knew the pain we are going through you wouldnt be saying any of it so please stop. because karma is a sucker punch when it comes back around to get u!

Sunday, Jul 26 at 8:17 PM church family wrote ...

GRANDPA, it's been tough for all of us these past few days ,were going to miss seeing you almost everyday.its weird getting up and not seeing you here I'M still in shock and trying not to believe it,the kids are going to really miss you ,as well as you will miss them, you make sure you correct them when they get out of hand ,and let them know that you can still see them. WE LOVE YOU

Friday, Jul 24 at 6:58 PM church family wrote ...

grandpa we will miss the daily routine you had of bringing those ice cream pin wheels and chocolate milk for the kids ,well buddy I'm glad you were out doing what you loved to do there will never be a day go bye that we will not think about you.We hope that there is a full recovery for clifford sr.

Friday, Jul 24 at 5:45 PM Cindy wrote ...

Somewhere a journey begins at the end of the worldly existence we know, Somewhere a path stretches over the stars, and rivers of memories flow.... Somewhere a silence is heard far away and the brightness of day fills the night, Where the trials of life are resolved into PEACE- When a soul finds it's way to the light. Art, we love you very much! Forgiveness and Prayers to the Clifford Family. It was a tragic accident and great loss for both of our families and friends.

Friday, Jul 24 at 3:54 PM I PAID wrote ...

I GOT A TICKET FOR SPEEDING ON RT.24 A YEAR AGO.I WAS LEAVING BANNER GOING TO PEKIN.SO THE POLICE ARE OUT AND DOING SOMETHING OR I WOULDN'T HAVE GOT CAUGHT.I WAS GOING 62MPH AND I WASN'T PASSING ANYONE.JUST ROLLING WITH THE FLOW.IN THE REDNECK 500.GOD BLESS

Friday, Jul 24 at 3:29 PM For Grandpa wrote ...

First of all, thank you for the prayers from everyone, including the Clifford family that also lost a loved one. Our prayers go out to you and your family as well. We pray that Scott Sr. makes a full recovery. God Bless.

Friday, Jul 24 at 1:34 PM ??? wrote ...

JoAnn...the speeding limit has nothing to do with the accident that just happened. They were not on the 4 lane portion of the highway, they were on the 2 lane portion. What matters is that this was an accident and two men are now dead and their families are in mourning. Everyone who wrote nasty comments on this site should be ashamed of themselves. Who are we to judge what happened. My thoughts are with both families.

Friday, Jul 24 at 12:35 PM Jo Ann wrote ...

I use Rt 24 from Pekin to Mapleton everyday and it is 4 lanes and the speed limit is 65. I did not intend to assume that they were or were not speeding just the fact that they pass me in this area going way to fast when there is Cameron Lane and the entrance to Mapleton for people pulling out and trying to cross 24. My heart goes out to the families.

Friday, Jul 24 at 12:31 PM Shannon wrote ...

Scott is my daughter's papa, and he was a very close friend to me. He was an extremely wonderful and caring person, one of the grestest people I have ever met. I love him so much and so his his papa's girl. We will miss him so much. Words cannot explain how wonderful a person he was. I love you Scott Clifford. My prayers are with the Church family

Friday, Jul 24 at 10:14 AM Angie wrote ...

Scotty, I praise you for coming on here and saying what you have. Your dad was a wonderful man and he will greatly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and with the family of Mr. Church.

Friday, Jul 24 at 8:55 AM red wrote ...

Note to WEEK. Looks like WEEK has missed some facts. Maybe WEEK needs to talk to witnesses and do a little more investigating and then run a retraction.

Friday, Jul 24 at 8:50 AM Mark wrote ...

Gods be with you Scott as you walk with him in the promised land may you forever be remembered as the great and giving man you are.

Friday, Jul 24 at 8:22 AM amazed wrote ...

Wow...I can't believe how judgemental some of these people are without knowing all of the facts. I wonder what will happen when it is your time to be judged...... God Bless both families.

Friday, Jul 24 at 7:32 AM Shelly Ferdon wrote ...

My heart goes to Art's family. Art was a great neighbor who cared about everyone he came in contact with. He loved to flirt with the girls and go fishing. He flirted with us and got to fish his last day. My prayers are with his family...who he loved to brag about. We will miss him horribly. God Bless both families who lost great men.

Friday, Jul 24 at 6:51 AM Alice wrote ...

Judge not least ye be judged.People are so vicious that it sickens me.The man paid the ultimate price, unfortunatly so did another.But if it's your time to go then God will make that decision, not you or anyone on this earth. be a little more compasionate for the ones left to deal with this. God bless both families

Friday, Jul 24 at 12:02 AM I wittnesed the crash wrote ...

I was driving home and I witnessed the crash Scott was not puposefully trying to pass anyone you could see that it was a freak accident and I dont belive that anyone should judge if they did not see what happend. I am praying for the families who lost there loved ones. I am so sorry that the kids have to go thru this. May god be with you in this difficult time

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:53 PM Scotty Clifford III wrote ...

of both our familys. There are children involved here.that cant handle the hate that you are showing with these statements My father was a great man, father, husband, brother, and grandfather. As I can only imagine that Mr. Church was. Remember there great lives and support there families. My heart and prayers to all.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:50 PM Scotty Clifford III wrote ...

My father believed in god with all his heart and soul. He believed we were all brothers and sisters in christ and should care for each other in that way. I mean this with my whole heart. As for those writing such wonderful things for both familys involved, God bless you and I thank you in ways you cant imagine. To those who have wrote the most ugly and hurtful babblings, I FORGIVE YOU. This is what my father would have done just as his lord did to those that hurt him. I just ask you to think

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:50 PM Scotty Clifford III wrote ...

I can say I know what pain you feel. I lost my dad and best friend. My son and daughter lost their grandfather. His heart filled with joy taken his grandkids and godchildern fishing also. I don’t know what im trying to accomplish by writing this but I hope in some way or another it will in some way help. My heart and prayers are for your family. We have both have lost a great person in our lives. I want to extend to you myself. If your family needs anything I would be glad to be there. My fathe

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:49 PM Scotty Clifford III wrote ...

drive on this dangerous road selfish and uncaring to those that could be hurt.The car behind him ran up to my dad after the wreck and he was pinned and dying. the first words and the only wordsI know he said was “is the other person all right?” my father would never want to cause anyone this pain. He died worried about this person he hurt not himself. I know anything I say to you will not in anyway shape or form take away the deep pain you feel.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:48 PM Scotty Clifford III wrote ...

my heart is with the family of Art Church. My father is Scotty L. Clifford Jr. he was a great man and would have never wanted to harm anyone. My father had broke his leg and it was hurting him badly and the witness behind him told me that he was reaching down on that side when he crossed the center line. my dad was not passing. He was most likly rubing at the pain when he drifted over the center line.he never would pass on that road. he called it the red neck 500. And thought the way people dri

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:14 PM RE: we're bigger fools if wrote ...

And who said he was speeding?

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:07 PM The Church Family wrote ...

Grandpa Art will be missed by all he was a great man that adored his grand kids more than anything maybe as much as his love for fishing. His last day he got to do what he love. Words can not say how much we will all miss him. And we would like to send our condolences to the other family also. May God help us all through such a tragic time. We Love and miss you Grandpa!!

Thursday, Jul 23 at 10:43 PM Kaylee wrote ...

Some of you people are horrible on here. Yea he made a mistake, but he died for it. He didnt just kill someone else and live after. He is gone to. I hope that you guys never have to go through this and then have people saying this stuff about your family. You need to think b4 you say something. To the familys...I'm sorry for you loss. God bless you!

Thursday, Jul 23 at 10:33 PM Sherry wrote ...

Grandpa Art had just spent his last day of life fishing with his Grandson Tyler and other family members. I will miss seeing Art interact with his family and all his Grandkids that he loved.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 8:20 PM Todd wrote ...

Scott was a great man and friend. Good bless all the familys dealing with this nightmare

Thursday, Jul 23 at 6:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...

To those of you who know and care about Scott thanks so much for your prayers. To the others who leave rude comments well Im not going to argue with you because that is not something that he would have wanted.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 6:36 PM Wrong Information wrote ...

How dare all of you do believe every little thing the media says. They media covers this accident only hours after it happened, not allowing the investigation to go further. So maybe he may be a fool to speed, but you are ALL bigger fools to believe everything you hear.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 6:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

So many troubling things here. Such as: A nice guy doing something so irresponsible. Requests for censorship of comments. I commend WEEK for allowing people to speak their minds. The loss to the family of both sides of the collision. The people that think more laws and more police would prevent or even help to prevent things like this. You shouldn't need an officer or a law to remind you not to slam into other cars. If you do, then you're probably not going to listen anyways.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 5:30 PM no name wrote ...

Scott Clifford was a great man. He cared about family, friends & his church. He will be missed. God bless his family.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 5:08 PM Kaysie wrote ...

My heart goes out to the Clifford family. Scotty was the most generous and caring individual that I have ever met and he will be missed greatly!

Thursday, Jul 23 at 5:03 PM Lynn wrote ...

Scott you will be missed very much by those people that knew you. You were one of the most wonderful people I have ever met and I know how much your family meant to you. It was very somber in our area today with many of your former co-workers having a hard time dealing with your loss. May God bless you and your family and you will all be in my prayers.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 4:13 PM Ashley wrote ...

Scott was an amazing person and you all would have been extremely lucky to have known him. He was willing to help anyone anywhere anytime and I cannot believe how nasty, rude and inconsiderate the majority of these comments have been. You should all be ashamed of yourself as should WEEK News 25 for not monitoring these comments properly. Rest in peace Scott you are the most wonderful and amazing person I have ever known. And to the Clifford family, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:53 PM daily rte 24 driver wrote ...

hope this clarifies, when i wrote i'd been on the 2 lane where it's 65mph, i meant when it turns into 2 lanes going the same direction at Kingston Mines, Which of course would make the total lanes 4 all together. sorry for the confusion... huh?

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:48 PM WOW wrote ...

I don't believe anyone said that the speed limit was 65mph on a 2 lane hwy. Huh? Sounds pretty clear, that parts of rte 24 are 2 lanes and parts are 4 lanes. I know the limit on the 2 lane part is 55mph, and on the 4 lane part it's 65mph from Kingston Mines to Cameron Lane turn off, then it's 55mph from Cameron Lane going westward. Either way, no one even said that these vehicles were doing 65 in a 55???

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:39 PM Huh? wrote ...

No two lane highway has a posted speed limit of 65..you can only go 65 on 4 lane roads.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:26 PM vicki54 wrote ...

I can't believe how HEARTLESS people can be (lol)! This was a tragic accident and both families are suffering. They are all in my prayers.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:17 PM Heather wrote ...

To LOL: you are heartless and insensitive to those who are close to Scott. Think before you speak! People are grieving his loss. Would you like someone to say something like that to you about your relative or friend?

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:08 PM daily rte 24 driver wrote ...

AGAIN...the speed limit on RTE 24 depends where on RTE 24 you are. Parts of it are 55MPH and parts are 65MPH. Where the accident happpened, the speed limit was 55MPH. Does this need to be clarified further? I have been on the 2 lane where the speed limit is 65MPH and have been passed by cars doing much much faster. So....Jo Ann knows what she's writing about.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 3:00 PM no named wrote ...

to jo ann i am sorry to tell you hun but its only 55 on that road not 65 so ummm yea idk traggic stuff has been happening alot and yes there are never any popo on that road so yea they need to patrol that area more. maybe people will learn after so many tickets!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, Jul 23 at 2:53 PM cdwd40 wrote ...

Actually, the speed limit on rte 24 is 55mph from Banner to Kingston Mines, then it becomes 4 lanes and also 65mpr, until it reaches the pekin junction, then it's back to 55mpr.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 2:40 PM Cindi wrote ...

My heart goes out to the families of these 2 men. Regardless the circumstance or the fault/blame it does not change the fact that 2 men are dead, and another critically injured. My brother was killed in accident on Rt 24 this past October, no matter how or why it does not change the fact they are gone. My heart aches for the families and what they are going through. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers

Thursday, Jul 23 at 2:22 PM chirs wrote ...

this is to jo ann the speed limit is not 65 on route 24 its 55 sorry to burst your bubble there and you are all right people do pass on route 24 alot when they shouldnt i have had to pull over on the side of the road to avoid getting in a head on crash

Thursday, Jul 23 at 2:13 PM Heather wrote ...

This is such sad and horribly tragic news. Scott will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with both families. Scott was my high school youth group mentor at our church. He was funny, nice, and caring.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 1:50 PM Andrea wrote ...

my heart goes out to both families...and to the clifford family my thoughts and prayers are with you

Thursday, Jul 23 at 1:01 PM Michelle wrote ...

Let the families grieve! They deserve that much. Everyone has made mistakes and we do not have all the facts.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 12:53 PM nana wrote ...

YES there is police around BACK off of them, they do a great JOB.its the JERKS that are speeding, they no the SPEED,

Thursday, Jul 23 at 12:28 PM Reality Check wrote ...

When people drive poorly, there can be tragic consequences. The sad thing is that law enforcement is being blamed for a driver's mistake. Cops get blamed for not patrolling an area. Then they get blamed for trying to increase revenue by stopping drivers and giving out tickets. Plain and simple, follow the rules of the road, or deal with the consequences.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 12:13 PM Beth wrote ...

Scott was a great guy to work for and with.....he will be very missed by all. God bless his family and prayers for them and his father.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 12:04 PM janie wrote ...

We will miss you Scottie... God be with you

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:58 AM Been there..... wrote ...

This road is like the Indianapolis 500!! Bumper to bumper & everyone driving way faster than the speed limit. They don't care if they see someone coming in the opposite direction, they try to pass anyway

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:57 AM Tonya wrote ...

My grandma died at that same intersection about 15 years ago. you would think changes would have already been in place. My heart goes out to the family.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The speed limit is 55. 65 is for 4 lane interstates. Not 2 lane blacktops. My hart gos out to the family of both Men.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:30 AM Jeff wrote ...

People drive reckless on this road everyday. I have been passed on blind curves multiple times.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:11 AM t wrote ...

i forgot to add something in my comments at first.. i hope this is a wakeup call to those who do careless moves on route 24, please slow down and wait till it's safe to pass, before you put innocent lifes at risk including your own..

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:10 AM Allen wrote ...

Scotty I will forever miss you. :(

Thursday, Jul 23 at 11:00 AM Becky wrote ...

I believe where the accident was the speed limit is only 55, but your right about the people driving on that route. I drove Rt 24 for 10 years when I worked in Peoria and everyone speeds. What a sad ending for both familes. My heart goes out to them. There should be more police patroling to avoid any more heartache for families.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 10:52 AM t wrote ...

i knew this was bound to happen one day.. i see careless and unsafe moves on that road all the time. i'm not saying anything bad about the victims, but why or why when he saw the car coming,did he even attempt a passing move? that's the main thing i see on that road all the time.

Thursday, Jul 23 at 10:42 AM Jo Ann wrote ...

Yet again another fatality on Route 24 because there are no police patroling this road. I use this road everyday to go to and from work. Route 24 might as well not even have speed limit signs. I can be doing 65 (which is the speed limit) and people go past me like I am not even moving. I work on Route 24 and I see it everyday. They have crashed through our fence because of passing and reckless driving, but is there ever police on Route 24, NO!!!!

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