Jefferson County, IL – Authorities are investigating after a man was found unresponsive inside a vehicle Friday evening at a gas station in rural Jefferson County.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 5:19 p.m. Friday to a report of an unresponsive male inside a vehicle at the Speedway Truck Stop on Ina Road. When deputies arrived, they located 34-year-old John D. Nickerson of Williston, North Dakota, inside a 1996 GMC Suburban parked at the business.
EMS personnel were already on scene and advised deputies that Nickerson had been pronounced deceased prior to their arrival, officials said.
Sheriff’s Office detectives, Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayes, and crime scene technicians from the Illinois State Police responded to assist with the investigation. Coroner Hayes officially declared Nickerson deceased at the scene.
Authorities said the death remains under investigation, and an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death. No additional details regarding circumstances or possible foul play were released as of Saturday.
The Speedway Truck Stop is located in Jefferson County, near the Mount Vernon area in southern Illinois. Officials did not indicate whether the incident posed any danger to the public.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective Captain Jeremy Wilton at (618) 244-8004. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crimestoppers at (618) 242-8477 (TIPS) or via the “Submit a Tip” feature in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.
The Sheriff’s Office said updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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