ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by

Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash  

WHERE:                   Interstate 57 southbound near milepost 177, Cumberland County

WHEN:                      March 4, 2022 at approximately 2:41 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2019 Black Peterbilt Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination

Unit 2- 2018 Black GMC Acadia

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Vernon Mcinnis, 35-year-old male from Gulfport, MS

                                    Unit 2- Rhonda Burton, 51-year-old female from Effingham, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling in the right lane of Interstate 57 southbound near milepost 177 in Cumberland County. Unit 2 was in the left lane at the same location. Unit 1 crossed the center line and struck the passenger side of Unit 2. Unit 2 then struck the left guardrail while Unit 1 struck the right guardrail. Unit 2 driver was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 1 driver reported no injuries. The right lane was closed during the crash investigation and the left lane remained open.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

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