Joshua Beck Killed in Piatt County Crash: Investigation Underway

On April 13, 2025, a tragic two-car collision in Piatt County, Illinois, claimed the life of 50-year-old Joshua Beck of Mansfield and resulted in four individuals being hospitalized. According to the Piatt County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred around 3:20 p.m. at the intersection of 2500 North Road and 800 East Road. Preliminary investigations indicate that 44-year-old Jason Sharp of Farmer City, driving westbound on 2500 North Road, disobeyed a yield sign and struck Beck’s northbound vehicle on its passenger side, causing it to roll over. Beck was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sharp’s vehicle carried three passengers: a 47-year-old woman, a 35-year-old woman, and a 35-year-old man. Sharp and two passengers were transported by ambulance to a local hospital, while the third passenger was airlifted to Carle Hospital in Urbana. Sharp has been cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and failure to obey a yield sign. The Piatt County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and the Piatt County Coroner’s Office are conducting a thorough investigation. Authorities emphasize that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.