Centralia Man Christopher Ray Killed in Fatal Crash Near Carlyle Lake

On July 18, 2025, a one-vehicle rollover crash occurred late at night at the Dam East Spillway near Carlyle Lake, resulting in the death of Christopher Ray, a resident of Centralia, Illinois. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department reported that Ray, a passenger in the vehicle, was ejected during the incident and sustained fatal injuries. The driver, Michael Ray, managed to exit the vehicle and suffered non-incapacitating injuries. Emergency responders, including sheriff’s deputies, Carlyle Police, and multiple EMS units, were dispatched to the scene following 911 calls received at 10:14 p.m.The crash took place when the westbound vehicle, traveling on Dam East Spillway Road, failed to negotiate a curve along the Kaskaskia River. The car struck a guardrail, went airborne, hit the rip rap, and rolled end over end down the rock riverbank before coming to rest near the water’s edge. The Illinois State Police Accident Reconstructionist is assisting in the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the incident.