Police: Icy freeway blamed in death of dad, son

NASHVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say icy roads are to blame for a southern Illinois wreck that killed a father and son on Interstate 64.

Illinois State Police say 37-year-old Derek Houle of Mount Vernon and 9-year-old Journey Houle died Friday night when they were hit by another motorist after the two had stepped from their wrecked vehicle.

Investigators say Houle's vehicle hit a patch of ice in Washington County near Nashville and got stuck in the median. The father, son and the dad's 12-year-old daughter got out of the car and were standing in the median when another car slid off the icy road and hit the family members.

The daughter was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Funeral arrangements are pending.