Corey Mitchell Killed In Coles County Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - October 4, 2025

Semi-Truck Driver Cited for Coles County Fatal Crash That Killed Corey Mitchell, of Mattoon, Injured Amanda Wilson and 5-Year-Old Child —> GoFundMe Created To Help Lay Victim to Rest

COLES COUNTY, ILLINOIS (October 4, 2025) – A man identified as Corey Mitchell has tragically died in a Coles County semi-truck accident by County Road 1200 North and County Road 300 East.

Coles County officials are saying that the collision took place around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Corey Mitchell was in a passenger vehicle with Amanda Wilson and a 5-year-old child.

A semi-truck driver failed to reduce speed and hit the driver’s side of their vehicle. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.

Sadly, Corey Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene. Amanda Wilson and the 5-year-old child were taken to the hospital to receive treatment.

Police cited the driver of the semi-truck for failing to reduce speed to avoid the collision. A full investigation into the Coles County truck accident remains ongoing.

You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe. According to the fundraiser, “Corey was always the light in a room and always pushed through life, against all odds. We, as his friends, would love to bring him home and give him what he deserves. If you can spare anything we would greatly appreciate it, and I know Corey sure would. Any remaining funds will go to Amanda and her daughter, Kynzleigh.”

Liability for Coles County Semi-Truck Accidents

Truck drivers must use an abundance of caution to avoid accidents. Despite this, many truck accidents involve speeding drivers. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a), “No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property.” If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Several factors could contribute to a semi-truck accident.

Driver Distraction: Driving a commercial truck for extended periods of time can be stressful. In many situations, these drivers can become distracted by their phones or other devices.
Inclement Weather: Operating a truck safely can be difficult in the best of circumstances. Rain and other forms of inclement weather can contribute to a truck driver losing control of their vehicle.
Vehicle System Failures: Trucks have a high utilization rate. If they are not routinely inspected and adequately maintained, component parts like the brakes could easily fail.
Truck Driver Inexperience: Younger and less experienced truck drivers are substantially more likely to be involved in collisions. It is important that every truck driver be intimately familiar with how their particular vehicle operates.

Semi-trucks can weigh 80,000 lbs and can be extremely dangerous. When a truck driver is negligent and causes a collision, their employer could be held at fault. In Illinois, employers can be vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees–insofar as those employees were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. However, most truck carriers will hire their drivers as “independent contractors” to limit their legal exposure in the event of a crash.

Steps to Take After a Coles County Semi-Truck Accident

Commercial trucks account for a relatively small number of the total vehicles on the roadway. But they are involved in a disproportionately high number of fatal collisions. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “[from 2020 to 20201 the] number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased 18 percent, from 4,821 to 5,700, and the large truck involvement rate (large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled by large trucks) increased 8 percent, from 1.62 to 1.74.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any truck accident.

Medical Evaluation: Victims of truck accidents should be evaluated at a hospital immediately after a crash. Many of the injuries associated with truck accidents will not be immediately obvious.
Police Investigation: The police should be called to the scene as soon as possible. They will conduct an investigation into what happened and create a report that details who they believe was likely at fault.
Evidence Collection: Photos and videos of the crash site should be sought. These can help reveal how an accident took place.
Independent Review: It is always a good idea to have any truck accident independently reviewed by a team experienced in tort claims.

Much of the evidence important to determining what caused a truck accident will not be available in a police report. But it can be ascertained through an independent review of the crash. For example, commercial trucks have event data recorders (EDRS). These can function in much the same way as the black box on an airplane. The family of any person who died in a truck accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a civil action.

Investigating Coles County Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Corey Mitchell. It is our sincere hope that Amanda Wilson and the 5-year-old child will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. What was the speed of the truck driver involved in the crash? What is the safety record of the company involved in the crash? Is there a history of collisions on this stretch of road?

Do you need more information about a Coles County semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck carriers are held fully accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.