Published: November 22, 2009 08:17 pm      

Police, coroner probe two deaths

DANVILLE — Police and the Vermilion County Coroner’s Office are investigating two deaths.

A single-vehicle crash claimed the life of 20-year-old Brock A. Wilson of Danville. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Grape Creek Road near Highland Boulevard at 12:44 a.m. Sunday.

Wilson was a passenger in the vehicle and had to be extricated.

The vehicle was traveling northbound on Grape Creek Road when it left the roadway and struck a tree.

The driver, whose name was not yet available, initially refused medical treatment, but was treated at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center and released.

The driver has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Dennis Wood.

The accident still is under investigation and reports will be forwarded to the state’s attorney’s office, Wood said.

The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department and the coroner’s office are conducting this investigation. Westville Fire Department and Medix Ambulance also responded.

Also, the Danville Police Department and the Vermilion County Coroner’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death of 42-year-old Howard Pollitt of Danville.

He was found about 7:35 a.m. Sunday, hanging from a tree near the CSX railroad tracks west of Logan Avenue.

Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason said police were called to a residence in the 500 block of West Madison Street about 7:30 a.m. A man told police he was walking the railroad track access about a quarter mile west of Logan Avenue when he discovered the subject.

The man led police to the location, where they found Pollitt.

Thomason said initial investigation leads police to believe no foul play is involved, but the investigation will continue.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.