ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Two Unit Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US Route 40, in the area of 900th Street, Effingham, Effingham County

WHEN:                      April 11, 2021 at 12:16 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – Bronze 2012 GMC Terrain

                                    Unit 2 – Black 2016 Ford Fiesta

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 –Andrew E. Welter, a 33-year-old male from Altamont, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

                                    Unit 2 – Mara D. Ferguson, a 28-year-old female from Charleston, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1 – Alyssa M. Rhodes, a 29-year-old female from Charleston, IL – Pronounced deceased.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on US Route 40, near 900th Street, in Effingham County. Unit 1 was traveling westbound on US Route 40 in the same area. Unit 1 crossed over and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Unit 2 swerved to the left, but was still struck by Unit 1 in a head-on collision. Both drivers were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The front seat passenger of Unit 1 succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.  The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU) is continuing the investigation. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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