Chillicothe, Illinois – On the evening of August 10, 2024, a devastating motorcycle accident on North Route 29 at Knox Road in Rome tragically claimed the lives of Floyd L. Henderson, 58, and his wife, Leah R. Henderson, 51, both residents of North Von Achen Drive, Chillicothe. The incident occurred at approximately 9:55 pm when their motorcycle collided with a pickup truck.
Emergency responders, including the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department, Chillicothe Police Department, Illinois State Police, Chillicothe Fire Department, Advanced Medical Transport, and the OSF LifeFlight helicopter, were dispatched to the scene. Despite brief resuscitative efforts, both Floyd and Leah were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Peoria County Coroner’s Office confirmed that autopsies are scheduled for Monday, with the cause of the collision currently under investigation by Crash Reconstructionists from the Illinois State Police. Toxicology reports are pending in accordance with the Illinois Dater Statute.
The community has expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of Floyd and Leah. On Facebook, Mike Otto shared, "Rest easy Floyd. You were awesome!!" while Marie Laveau commented, "This is horrible…prayers." Anne Arnold, who had a personal connection with Leah, stated, "Oh no, Leah was such an advocate for my handicapped son. I’m heartbroken."
The Peoria County Coroner’s Office extended their gratitude to the first responders, saying, "We would like to thank the Chillicothe Fire Department, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, the Chillicothe Police Department, and the Illinois State Police, who graciously assisted us with Floyd and Leah’s care. We genuinely appreciate it."
The community continues to mourn the loss of the Hendersons, with many offering condolences and sharing memories of the couple on social media. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.