Family of 3 men killed in explosion near Starved Rock hires attorneys to investigate
The family of two brothers and their nephew who died in an explosion along the Illinois River next to Starved Rock State Park last week that officials say happened when the three ignited black powder has hired a law firm to look into the deaths.
The Illinois law firm Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard announced in a news release Wednesday that the firm was hired to investigate the explosion and represent the family. The statement identified the three men who died as brothers, Inmer Rivera Tejada, 39, and Rafael Rivera Tejada, 36, and their nephew Guillermo Rivera Tejada, 26, of the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago.
“At this time, there is no reason to believe the three men had anything whatsoever to do with the handling of, or knowingly using explosive devices,” attorney Tara R. Devine said in a news release. “But we do know demolition was actively occurring in the area as part of bridge work. We will be hiring some of the best experts in the country to assist us in our investigation and hopefully bring peace of mind to Inmer, Rafael and Guillermo’s family.”
The explosion happened about 75 miles southwest of Chicago, with emergency crews arriving just after 7 p.m. at the old Illinois Route 178 bridge, state police have said.
Officials have said little to explain what happened beyond saying it was an “isolated” occurrence and that the men ignited a black powder substance that exploded, causing their deaths.
LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch said Saturday that the detonation appeared to be an “accident.”
“We’re not concerned (about) any public safety or any foul play,” Ploch said on the phone. “It does look like some type of an accident. We’re still trying to work with the state police, and then they’re working with the FBI and the bomb squad experts, in order to identify what exactly happened.”
Ploch also said investigators determined the men ignited a black powder along the river bank.
Ploch had no further information Wednesday on the substance and said formal autopsy reports are not available until four to six weeks after the time of death. He also said he was not prepared to release the cause and manner of their deaths.
“We’re still actively investigating what happened,” he said.
State police said Monday the investigation into the explosion is “open and ongoing.” Anyone with information about the explosion was asked to call state police at 815-726-6377.
