BUCKNER – Two people are dead following a fatal crash in Franklin County Wednesday morning.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon, just before 6:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office received a 911 call from a passing motorist reporting that two people were lying in a ditch beside the roadway on Illinois 14 near South Jenette Street in Buckner.

Deputies responded and located the two subjects. They were dead.

Detectives were immediately requested to the scene.

Preliminary information indicates that both subjects were struck while walking along Illinois 14.

During the course of the investigation, deputies were able to identify the vehicle and driver that were involved. A short time later, both were found.

Sheriff Bacon says the investigation continues and no other information will be released at this time.

The Buckner Fire Department, Christopher Police Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Transportation and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office assisted the sheriff’s office at the scene.