The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department has released details on an early morning July 31st crash that has now claimed the life of a 16-year-old Breese female.
Bella Brefeld passed away Friday, August 5th, at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. She was a member of the Breese Mater Dei class of 2024.
The sheriff’s department reports the crash occurred on the Covington Road just South of Pioneer Road. Preliminary information indicates a 2018 Ford Fusion was occupied by three 16-year-olds. Prior to reaching the Santa Fe drainage ditch bridge, the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to leave the roadway to the east and overturn multiple times. The 16-year-old who died was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. She was transported via ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese and later flown to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where she passed away.
The driver of the vehicle, a 16-year-old female from Carlyle, was not hurt. A 16-yea-rold male from Bartelso who was in the back seat left the scene for help and was later hospitalized for his injuries.
Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous says the case remains open as investigators from the sheriff’s department and Illinois State Police are working on a cause for the crash.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, with interment to follow at St. Dominic-St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese. The Moss Funeral Home in Breese is in charge of arrangements.
