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Crash near El Paso kills one; family raising money for funeral

By WEEK Reporter
February 25, 2013 Updated Feb 26, 2013 at 10:57 PM CDT

EL PASO, Ill. -- Woodford County authorities believe alcohol played a factor in a fatal crash early Saturday morning.

Laciya Younger-Spires, 25, of Peoria, was pronounced dead near El Paso at about 3:00 a.m Saturday.

Woodford County Corner Tim Reustman says Younger-Spires was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed and rolled over about a mile south of El Paso on Route 251. She was thrown from the vehicle.

Ruestman said there were five other people in the car and all were taken to various hospitals for treatment.

Authorities are still trying to determine who was driving when the accident occurred; tickets and possible DUI arrest may come pending further investigation.

In the meantime, loved ones of the victim are trying to raise money for funeral arrangements.

"She's just like a friendly person that likes to talk on facebook a lot with people, basically a social person, and she had a lot of great love from a lot of people around here," said Rob Thompson, husband of Younger-Spires.

Thompson says donations can be made to a special fund (account # 1308369) at any CEFCU location, or look for Laciya Younger-Spires collection cups around the Peoria area.

Woodford County authorities are still investigating the crash.

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