ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US 50 Eastbound at Radio Tower Road, Marion County

WHEN:                      April 19, 2020 at 5:28 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2017 Grey Ford SUV – Police Vehicle

                                    Unit 2- 1995 White Dodge Truck

DRIVERS:                Unit 1-Blake Phillips, 28 year old male from Salem, IL – transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

                                    Unit 2- Mark Huelsmann, 41 year old male from Centralia, IL – transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PRELIMINARY:     A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1, a Salem Police Department vehicle, was eastbound on Route 50 near Radio Tower Road in Marion County. Unit 2 was also eastbound on Route 50 and was traveling in front of Unit 1.  The driver of Unit 1 attempted to pass Unit 2 in order to initiate a traffic stop on an offending vehicle up ahead, at the same time Unit 2 attempted to turn left into a driveway  Unit 1 tried moving back into the driving lane to avoid Unit 2 but was unsuccessful. Unit 1 struck Unit 2 in the passenger side rear bumper. Both drivers were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours during the crash investigation.