Chester man's body recovered after vehicle plunges into Mississippi River
The body of a Chester man was recovered from the Mississippi River on June 1, two days after the vehicle he was in plunged into the river near Chester.
Ronnie Coffman, 56, of Chester was found around 9 a.m. along the Illinois side of the river by an employee of Lone Eagle Dock 105, a few miles south of Chester on mile marker 105. Chester police and fire department personnel worked with Randolph County Coroner Carlos Barbour to recover the body from the river.
Coffman was one of three occupants of a 2006 Jeep Liberty that was traveling on Rock Bridge Road near the railroad trestle in Chester during the early morning hours of May 30, according to authorities. Police say the auto failed to make the turn onto Water Street, crashed through the guard rail and into the river.
The other two occupants of the vehicle, Russel Briseno, 30, of Chester, and Stephanie English, 25, of Tilden were able to escape the vehicle and swim to shore. Both were unharmed.
Chester fire and police officials were called to the scene around 2:35 a.m. on May 30. Fire Chief Marty Bert brought in the Chester Fire Boat and fire officials searched up and down the river bank until sunrise, looking for Coffman to no avail.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources assisted with the water search. The Randolph County Sheriff's personnel, as well as the MedStar Ambulance personnel, were on scene throughout the night to help with search and rescue efforts.
The fire department staff located the underwater vehicle within an hour or so, using sonar equipment attached to the fire boat.
Bert contacted several divers to help with the efforts, but many were not trained or equipped to conduct rescue efforts in the Mississippi River due to its swift currents and low visibility.
However, the Rend Lake Search and Rescue Association agreed to conduct the search, and secured the Jeep with steel cables so the car could be retrieved. The Rend Lake Search and Rescue Association is connected with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.
By the time the dive team arrived it was 10:40 a.m., and local authorities had already been on the scene for eight hours. Head diver Steve Buntin and his backup were suited up and in the river by approximately 11:30 a.m. Chester Fire Department personnel, Randolph County Sheriff's Deputies and IDNR staff assisted the dive team as Buntin located the car and fastened several cables to allow G & J Towing and Recovery LLC to begin slowly bringing the Jeep Liberty to the surface.
By 1 p.m., G & J Towing successfully pulled the Jeep out of the water and onto the bank at the top of the hill on the parking lot. The Randolph County Coroner, Police Chief Ryan Coffey, Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff and emergency personnel immediately conducted a search of the vehicle to determine if Coffman was still inside the Jeep Liberty. Coffman was not in the car.
After a lengthy investigation of the vehicle, T & J Towing unhooked the vehicle and prepared to haul it away. The vehicle was seized by the Chester Police Department and an investigation into the incident continued.
The search for Coffman continued throughout the day May 30 and May 31, and into the early hours of June 1.
A memorial service for Coffman will begin at noon on June 9 at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home in Chester, officiated by the Rev. Phil Keeton. He will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and go to the time of the service. Memorials should be directed to the family, to help offset funeral expenses.
Coffey said the incident is still under investigation and encouraged anyone who has information to call the Chester Police Department at (618) 826-5454.