ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle, Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: Interstate 70 Westbound at Mile Post 80, Effingham County
WHEN: 5/26/2019 @ 9:18 PM
VEHICLES: UNIT 1: Blue 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
DRIVER: UNIT 1: James Justus Smith, Age 29, Columbus, KS
PASSENGERS: UNIT 1: Terrence Elliot Miller, Age 29, Joplin, MO
Nicole Ashley Howland, Age 35, Columbus, KS
CHARGES: UNIT 1: Smith (Driver) - Leaving the Scene/Failure to Report an Accident Involving Personal Injury, DUI Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, Possession of Open Alcohol by Driver, and Failure to Wear a Seat Belt; Miller (Passenger) – Wanted on Warrant
TRANSPORTS: UNIT 1 – Abbott EMS
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate that Unit 1, a blue 2006 Chevy passenger car operated by James J. Smith, was traveling west in lane 1 of I-70 West when Smith made an abrupt braking input and lost control of the vehicle. Unit 1 entered a skid and crossed over the center divide into lane 2 of I-70 West, onto the north shoulder, and then down into a ditch on the north side of the roadway before coming to rest. A female passenger, Howland, was transported from the scene for injuries she sustained during the crash.