Winter Accident

Tragedy struck an Illinois family this holiday season. After a Christmas party where drinks were consumed, guests drove home only to be met with extreme road conditions. Dale and Tonya Shannon crashed their car into a pole, but Tonya's body was not found until 2 weeks later almost a mile away. More inside.

cnn.com

On the way home, Dale Shannon apparently lost control of the car, which slid backwards and crashed into a pole. A relative told the Chicago Tribune that Dale Shannon's back was broken by the impact.

Toxicology tests later showed Dale Shannon's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit, WGN reported, citing the LaSalle County coroner.

A sheriff's deputy patrolling the area the next morning found the couple's car with Dale Shannon dead in the driver's seat.

Investigators found footprints in the snow leading from the car to a nearby road, but the trail soon ended.

Blowing snow and poor road conditions the night of the accident made it difficult for authorities to stage extensive searches for Tanya Shannon, Templeton said. The search was suspended December 8.

But warmer weather and rain recently helped pave the way for renewed searches, he said.

At the time of the accident, Templeton said there were no indications the crash and Tanya Shannon's disappearance were anything more than an accident that she had tried to walk away from in search of help.

Relatives described the couple as happy. They had been married 20 years and had four daughters.

Read more at cnn.com