Man visiting family dies in crash in Ford County

ROBERTS — A man from India who was visiting his daughter in rural Rantoul died Sunday from injuries he received in a traffic accident in Ford County on Saturday.

Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said Kamleshb Ambani, 47, died at 2:05 p.m. Sunday in the intensive care unit at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Northrup said Mr. Ambani died from a traumatic brain injury he received in Saturday's accident, and no autopsy or inquest is planned.

Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran said Mr. Ambani was taken by ambulance to the hospital after sheriff's deputies responded to the accident about 8:06 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Ford County Road 1400 North and Illinois 115, just south of Roberts.

The accident occurred when a 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan driven by Mr. Ambani was traveling west on 1400 North and failed to yield at the stop sign at the intersection of Illinois 115, Doran said. He drove into the path of a southbound 1995 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck driven by Gerald E. Bleich, 72, of rural Roberts, Doran said.

The truck hit the front passenger-side door of Mr. Ambani's vehicle, pushing the van into a ditch west of Illinois 115, Doran said.

Mr. Ambani, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was found on the passenger side of the vehicle, where he apparently hit his head, Doran said.

Bleich, who was wearing a seat belt, was also taken by ambulance to Carle. A hospital spokesman said Bleich was listed in good condition Monday.

There were no passengers in either vehicle, Doran said.

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areader wrote on January 09, 2012 at 6:01 pm

Praying for a quick recovery for Mr. Bleich. 

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