Illinois 1-Year-Old Crushed by TV in Car Crash

ALORTON -- A 1-year-old boy died after he was crushed by a television in the back seat of the car in which he was riding on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Marshawn Billips died about four hours after he was injured when his mother was involved in a one-car accident that caused the TV to fall on the boy, according to authorities.

A red 2001 Oldsmobile Alero driven by the boy's mother, Vernita Billops, was traveling east in the 3700 block of Bond Avenue when she struck a pole about 3:30 p.m.

Alorton Fire Chief Carlos Darough said witnesses said her car crossed into the west bound lanes, where a semitrailer had to swerve into the east bound lanes to avoid her.

"An older model flat screen television was in the back seat where he was. We believe it fell on him and crushed him. The baby sustained head and body injuries," Darough said.

The boy was taken to Touchette Regional Hospital, then airlifted to Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

Billops' 5-year-old daughter was also in the car. Both Billops and her daughter sustained minor injuries, Darough said.

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