Crime & Safety
Will County, IL Crash: Orland Hills, Palos Heights Women Killed in Semi-Truck Collision Friday Oct 23
Peotone, IL – Two women from Chicago's southwest suburbs have been identified as the victims of a deadly crash involving a semi truck and a passenger vehicle Friday afternoon in Will County.
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-10-24T21:08:19.043Z
Peotone, IL – Two women from Chicago's southwest suburbs have been identified as the victims of a deadly crash involving a semi truck and a passenger vehicle Friday afternoon in Will County.
According to the Will County Coroner's Office, the victims were Pamela A. Cairo, 66, of Orland Hills, and Virginia Hight, 87, of Palos Heights. Both women died following the collision at Wilmington Peotone Road and Center Road in Peotone Township on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
Cairo was pronounced dead at 3:45 p.m., while Hight was pronounced dead one minute later, at 3:46 p.m.
Investigation Into Fatal Collision Continues
The Will County Sheriff 's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision, which involved a semi truck and a passenger vehicle.
Deputies responded to the intersection Friday afternoon, where authorities began examining the scene and gathering information about the crash.
Officials have not disclosed what caused the collision or whether speed, roadway conditions or other factors contributed.
Authorities have also not confirmed which vehicle the two women occupied or whether anyone else was injured.
Autopsies Performed Saturday
Will County Coroner Laurie H. Summers confirmed that autopsies were performed Saturday, Oct. 24, as part of the ongoing death investigations.
The final causes and manners of death will be determined after the completion of autopsy findings, police reports and toxicological testing.
The collision claimed the lives of two women from neighboring southwest suburban communities, Orland Hills in Cook County and Palos Heights, also in Cook County.
As of Saturday afternoon, no additional findings about the circumstances of the crash had been included in the official announcements.
The Will County Sheriff's Office continues investigating the fatal collision, with additional information expected as the investigation progresses.