Schuyler County judge killed in a vehicle and bike crash

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Ill. (WGEM) - The Schuyler County Coroner confirmed that Schuyler County Circuit Judge Ramon M. Escapa, 42, of Rushville, Illinois, died on Sunday.

According to the Illinois State Police, Escapa, who was a Ride Illinois Director, was traveling northbound on Adams Road in Frederick, Illinois, on a Marin Bicycle around 9:56 a.m. when a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Charlie D Coffey, 73, of Rushville, hit the back of Escapa’s bike and struck Escapa.

ISP reported that Escapa was pronounced dead at the scene. Coffey refused medical attention.

Coffey was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

The ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate this incident.

Frank McCartney, the chief judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit said he is looking at Schuyler County dockets to find coverage for Escapa’s cases.

He said Escapa had been assigned to the July Pike County jury docket, but he is working to find another judge to preside over those cases.

“Everyone is working together to make sure we have everything covered,” McCartney wrote in an email to WGEM News.

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