By Beacon Staff
Three Burlington residents died in a two-vehicle collision shortly before 9 p.m. Friday (Dec. 20) on Illinois Routes 97 and 9.
Fulton County Coroner Steve Hines confirmed Sunday night that Archie Allen, Carol Seibert and Marvin Brockett, all of Burlington, died from blunt force trauma injuries in a two-vehicle accident. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
The trio was returning home from a night of line dancing in Canton, Ill., and the accident occurred about eight miles west of town.
The driver of the other vehicle, 20-year old Pedro Orozco of Galesburg, Ill., was driving north on Route 97 and struck the Burlington residents’ westbound vehicle in the side, according to a news release issued Monday.
Orozco and his two passengers were treated and released at a local hospital. None had life-threatening injuries.
Orozco was arrested for aggravated drunken driving, driving with a suspended license, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor, according to police.
Overcoming A Previous Accident
Allen, a Vietnam veteran, had recovered from a brutal tumble down a dozen stairs a few years prior. The fall broke both his ankles, temporarily putting him in a wheelchair.
In November of 2017, shortly after the accident, Seibert watched with joy as the Cedar Rapids-based Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association built a wheelchair ramp to the entrance of Allen’s home. The ramp paid for by the motorcycle group, moved Allen and Seibert to tears.
Allen, Seibert, and Brockett were big race fans and were a weekly fixture at 34 Raceway. They were often the first ones at the track just so they could watch the drivers come in and talk to them.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.