Peoria Police responded to a vehicle theft incident on Monday, June 9, 2025, at around 3:44 PM in the 1500 block of W. Lincoln. The vehicle was stolen from Billie Jo’s Towing. Two male suspects drove the vehicle out of the lot at high speed, breaking through the gate and injuring two employees. One employee sustained minor injuries, while the other suffered life-threatening injuries and later died at a local hospital. William Collier, 70, of Bartonville, was transported to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center in critical condition and later died from severe traumatic head injuries and other multiple blunt force trauma injuries, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood.
The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned in the 800 block of S. Warren Street, but the suspects were not located. The investigation is ongoing, and there is currently no information about the suspects. Anyone with information about this incident or other violent crimes is urged to contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521, use tip411 anonymously, or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 309-673-9000.