BLOOMINGTON, IL – A somber cloud hangs over Bloomington as a 36-year-old USPS driver from Pontiac, Illinois, tragically lost his life in a fatal crash earlier this week. The heart-wrenching incident occurred at the fateful intersection of Ashley Drive and Beich Road.
Reports from the Bloomington Police Department reveal that the accident unfolded on a fateful Monday morning at approximately 10:32 a.m. Swiftly responding to the distress call, law enforcement officers were on the scene, joined by the McLean County Coroner’s Office and the McLean County Accident Reconstruction Team. The driver, Ronald W. Bethard Jr., was killed when his postal service vehicle was struck by an SUV. County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder solemnly confirmed Bethard’s passing, highlighting the grim cause as multiple blunt injuries, according to the preliminary autopsy.
The ripple effect of this tragedy has stirred a tide of compassion within the community. Monica Hladovcak, moved by empathy, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to rally support for Ronald Bethard Jr.’s significant other, Mary, and her children during this profoundly challenging period. The campaign’s outpouring of generosity has already surpassed $2,000 of the $10,000 goal, a testament to the collective desire to alleviate the family’s future financial burdens.
Bethard Jr.’s life story, once brimming with promise, was tragically cut short while he was dutifully carrying out his USPS responsibilities. His aspirations for a radiant future alongside Mary and her children, coupled with the eagerly anticipated role of a father, were abruptly shattered.
As investigators diligently piece together the fragments of events leading to this devastating collision, the Bloomington Police Department extends a fervent plea to those possessing pertinent information to step forward. A veil of anonymity can be maintained by communicating through the Crime & Intelligence Analysis Unit (CIAU). Anonymous tips can be submitted via text to 847411, with the keyword “BPDTIPS,” followed by the information, or by reaching out via email to CIAU@cityblm.org.
