JACKSON COUNTY (AP) — Authorities say two southern Illinois boys playing on a plastic slide in front of their home died after they slid into the path of an oncoming car.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says 10-year-old Tyler Marquith and 8-year-old Nicholas Marquith died at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro after being struck by the car Thursday evening.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports the sheriff’s office says tall grass and trees growing along the steep road bank created visibility issues that may have prevented the driver of the car from seeing the boys.

Deputies say the boys were killed on a lightly traveled, dead-end street. Speed is not being considered as a factor.
Sheriff’s deputies are investigating.