Nancy C. Benedict Obituary, Death – Authorities in Livingston County have released the name of the woman killed in a fatal crash Thursday morning in Pontiac. Livingston County Coroner Michael Renner confirmed that the victim was 70-year-old Nancy C. Benedict, a longtime Pontiac resident. Renner said Benedict was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:58 a.m., roughly 40 minutes after the crash was reported.

According to officials, the incident happened just before 9:20 a.m. at the intersection of West Reynolds Street and Wal-Mart Drive, a busy roadway near several shopping areas in the city. The crash involved Benedict’s vehicle and a Dodge pickup truck.

Investigators believe Benedict was traveling through the intersection when the driver of the pickup, who was heading east on West Reynolds Street, failed to stop for a traffic signal. The truck struck Benedict’s vehicle on the driver’s side in what authorities described as a T-bone collision, a type of crash often associated with serious or fatal injuries.

Emergency crews were dispatched immediately, including Pontiac police, firefighters, and EMS personnel. Despite their efforts, Benedict could not be saved. First responders noted the severe impact on the driver’s side of her vehicle, which left little chance of survival.

The driver of the pickup, whose name has not yet been released, was evaluated at the scene for possible injuries. He was later treated and released from medical care. However, authorities cited him for disobeying a traffic light, a violation that investigators believe directly contributed to the deadly crash.

Coroner Renner’s office confirmed that an autopsy is underway to officially determine Benedict’s cause of death. Results are expected to provide more clarity in the coming days, although blunt force trauma from the collision is strongly suspected.

The Pontiac Police Department, working alongside the Illinois State Police and the Livingston County Coroner’s Office, has launched a full investigation into the crash. Officials will review traffic camera footage from the area, examine vehicle damage, and conduct witness interviews to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the accident.

Community members who knew Benedict have expressed shock at her sudden death. Though not much was immediately released about her personal background, neighbors described her as a kind and friendly woman who had lived in Pontiac for many years.

Local authorities have used the tragic accident as a reminder of the dangers of distracted or reckless driving. Intersections, especially along busy stretches of roadway like Reynolds Street, are high-risk areas where strict attention to traffic signals is essential. Officials emphasized that failure to stop at red lights or signs continues to be one of the leading causes of serious crashes nationwide.

At the scene, the intersection was closed for several hours Thursday morning as investigators documented the crash site and cleared debris. Traffic in the area was rerouted until early afternoon, when the roadway reopened.

While no criminal charges have yet been filed beyond the traffic citation, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of additional legal consequences once the full inquiry is complete. The Illinois State Police will assist in determining whether any contributing factors, such as speed or impairment, played a role in the collision.

For now, the community is left mourning the loss of Benedict, as family and friends await autopsy results and the outcome of the ongoing investigation.