Edgar County Coroner's Office, 12645 East 950th Road, Paris, IL (2026)

07/12/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE - EDGAR COUNTY CORONER

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on the death of a Paris man following a vehicle-pedestrian accident early Sunday morning.

At approximately 1:27 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2026, emergency dispatchers were notified that a car had struck a pedestrian and first responders were needed.

The Edgar County Sheriff’s Department, Paris Police, Horizon Health Ambulance, Paris Fire Department, and Illinois State Police crash reconstruction all responded to the call.

Upon investigation it was determined that a 2013 Lincoln Sedan, driven by a Vermilion County Illinois resident, was headed northbound on Main Street (Illinois Route one) when they came upon and struck a pedestrian who was in the middle of the roadway near Roberts Street in Paris.

Jason A. Lister, 43, of Paris was transported to the emergency room of Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday afternoon in Springfield, Illinois, by forensic pathologist Dr. Nate Patterson.

The incident remains under investigation by the Paris Police Department and the Edgar County Coroner.

05/23/2026

Information release - Edgar County Coroner

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on a mowing accident that has resulted in the death of an Edgar County man.

911 dispatchers were notified at 12:10 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026. The caller stated that he had found an employee of Eagle Ridge Golf Course unresponsive and pinned underneath a mower in a pond and needed help.

Horizon Health Ambulance, Paris Fire Department, Paris Police Department, and the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the call. Upon arrival it was determined to dispatch the coroner.

Jay L. Roush, 64, of Vermilion, Illinois, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon investigation, it was determined that another employee of Eagle Ridge Golf Course went looking for Mr. Roush after he was unable to reach him by phone. He and the zero-turn mower he was on were ultimately located in approximately three feet of water. It is unknown at this time what caused the mower to enter the pond.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Springfield, Illinois, by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Nate Patterson.

The incident remains under investigation by the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department and the Edgar County Coroner.

05/18/2026

Information Release- Edgar County Coroner

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details of a Sunday evening vehicle accident on Illinois Highway 49, approximately two and a half miles south of Brocton.

911 dispatchers were notified at 8:43 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2026. The caller stated that he had been involved in an accident and that help was needed.

The Edgar County Sheriff’s Department, Oakland Ambulance, Brocton Fire Department, and Illinois State Police all responded to the scene where it was determined to summon the coroner.

Heidi N. Rothermel, 36, of Brocton, Illinois was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident occurred when a southbound 2013 Toyota Prius, with three occupants, struck a deer. The force of the collision caused the deer to be thrown into the path of and through the windshield of a northbound 2012 GMC Acadia driven by Rothermel.

Rothermel’s car continued down the roadway for a short distance and ultimately came to stop in the field on the east side of the road.

All three occupants of the Toyota Prius were uninjured and refused treatment at the scene. Rothermel was the only occupant of the GMC Acadia.

04/21/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE - Edgar County Coroner's Office

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on the death of a 46-year-old Paris man who was found unresponsive at the home of a friend on the night of April 19, 2026.

A 911 call came in at 9:39 p.m. The caller stated that his friend was unresponsive and he needed help.

The Paris Police Department, Paris Fire Department, and Horizon Health Ambulance were all on the scene within minutes of the call where they determined the need to dispatch the coroner.

Dustin P. Ferris was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cause of death is pending the outcome of toxicology testing.

04/14/2026

Our office is grateful for and appreciative of the hard work and dedication that our Edgar County and Paris dispatchers show every day.

Thank you for all you do for our office and everyone else you serve.

Address

12645 East 950th Road
Paris, IL
61944

Telephone

+12174654166

Website

http://www.coronersillinois.org/

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