Minooka Baseball Player, 20, Dies In Overnight Crash Along Old Route 66, Vehicle Found In River

MINOOKA, IL — A 20-year-old college baseball player from Minooka, Michael Roberson, died this week during an overnight crash along old Route 66 near Dwight. The Lincoln Land Loggers website announced that Roberson was a catcher for Lincoln Land Community College's baseball team and he graduated from Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox.

There will be a moment of silence for Roberson at 11:45 a.m. Friday before Lincoln Land's baseball home doubleheader against Spoon River College. A candlelight vigil for Roberson will take place on Monday at 8:30 p.m. at Cass Gymnasium at LCCC's campus in Springfield. "Anyone is welcome to attend," the college baseball program announced.

According to WCSJ, Roberson died as a result of a crash near Dwight that was discovered around 6 a.m. Wednesday. The Livingston County Coroner’s Office said the Illinois State Police were called to the crash site, and Roberson's car was submerged in the Mazon River south of North 2400 East Road.

The Morris radio station reported that Roberson's car was traveling northbound on Old Route 66 when it crossed through the southbound lane of traffic and into the west ditch. The vehicle came to rest in the river on its top.

Another motorist saw the vehicle in the water and called 911. The radio station reported that the time of Roberson's crash was unknown, but it was suspected to have taken place early Wednesday morning. Roberson was driving on his way back to his community college in Springfield, WCSJ reported.

The Dwight Fire Department, along with Odell, responded to the fatality.