Three Killed In Early Morning Crawford County Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Fatality Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Illinois 33 just East of North Highway Street in Palestine, IL (Crawford County)

WHEN:                      Aug. 13, 2020 at 1:22 a.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2019 Black Dodge Charger

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Skyler Williams, 21 year old male from Lawrenceville, IL – Deceased

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1- Kodey Burns, 20 year old male from Robinson, IL – Deceased

                                    Unit 1- 13 year old male from Vincennes, IN – Deceased

                                    Unit 1- Morgan Wells, 23 year old female from Loogootee, IN – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling east on Illinois 33 just east of North Highway Street in Palestine, IL (Crawford County). The driver of Unit 1 failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway to the left, striking a pole and coming to rest in a tree line. Two rear seat passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle on impact. These two passengers and the driver were all pronounced deceased on scene by the Crawford County Coroner. Unit 1 passenger, Morgan Wells, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. This crash is still under investigation and no further details are available at this time.

1 Dead In I-70 Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatality Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 Eastbound at Milepost 147, Clark County

WHEN:                      Aug. 12, 2020 at 10:02 a.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2005 Maroon Pontiac Grand Prix

Unit 2- 2015 Blue Volvo Truck Tractor Semi Trailer Combination

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Pending Notification of Next of Kin – Deceased

                                    Unit 2- Enrique DeJesus, 53 year old male from Miami, FL - Uninjured

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling east on Interstate 70 near milepost 147. Unit 1 was merging onto Interstate 70 eastbound from Illinois 1 at exit 147. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 lost control and spun in front of Unit 2. The driver of Unit 2 was unable to avoid the collision and struck Unit 1 in the driver door. Unit 2 pushed Unit 1 across the median where both vehicles came to rest. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Clark County Coroner. The driver of Unit 2 was uninjured. Interstate 70 westbound was reduced to one lane for approximately 4 hours during the crash investigation. This crash is still under investigation and no further details are available at this time.

Fog Sealing To Start Thursday-Weather Permitting

If the weather cooperates, crews could begin the fog seal portion of the city’s summer street maintenance program tomorrow. Street Commissioner Tom Meeks said the fog seal will be done on streets and alleys that were chipped and sealed last week. Meeks said motorists should have their vehicles off of the chipped and sealed streets starting tomorrow morning.

Students Return To Class Thursday In District #348

Tomorrow is the first day of in-person instruction for Wabash District #348 students whose last names begin with A through J with the second group with last names starting with K through Z starting Friday. All remote learners will also start Friday under the soft reopening plan.

Students will be dismissed by 12:20pm this week while going all day next week. The first group will be in school Tuesday and Thursday while group B will be in school Wednesday and Friday.

If students aren’t in school, they’ll be doing remote learning. Beginning August 24th, the full in-person instruction with regular dismissal will begin.

As the new school year begins, officials are asking drivers to use caution especially in school zones. At Monday’s City Council meeting, both Mayor Joe Judge and Commissioner Chandler Madden said motorists need to be aware of speed limits in school zones and to not pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm out, even on Walnut Street between 3rd and 9th Streets with the center turn lane.

Police Chief Ryan Turner said officers will increase patrols in school zones looking for speeders and distracted drivers.

Mt. Carmel Man Pleads Not Guilty To Indecency Charge

A not guilty plea has been entered in the case of a Mt. Carmel man charged in June with public indecency. 23 year old Logan Johnson was arrested June 6th in connection to an incident in the 300 block of Poplar Street.

During a video conference Monday before Judge William C. Hudson, Johnson waived the formal first advisement on the charge and entered the not guilty plea. Hudson set a pre-trial conference in the case for September 28th. In addition, State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman has filed a petition to revoke supervision on a previous DUI conviction Johnson had last year.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For DUI Following Complaint Of Damage To County Road

From Wabash County Sheriff J. Derek Morgan:

On 08.11.2020 at 7:50pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a Jeep tearing up a county road and leaving ruts throughout it. As the Deputy responded to the area of N 1950 Blvd.and E 300 Rd. he located the Jeep in question and observed the windshield had several cracks in it. The Jeep was stopped for the violation and a roadside investigation was initiated. The Deputy smelled what was believed to be an alcoholic beverage emitting form the drivers' person as well as other clues of impairment. 24 year old Dakota Sutton of Mt. Carmel was taken into custody without incident on a charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Sutton was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed and later released. 

City Council Approves TIF Funds To Aid New Restaurant

The Mt. Carmel City Council is helping the owners of a new restaurant with TIF funds to the tune of $30,000. The council voted unanimously Monday to allocate the funds to Troy and Maria Jacobs who are working to remodel the former Hogg Heaven Bar-Be-Que location on West 9th Street into a Rosati’s Pizza. In making the announcement last month, the Jacobs’ said it was hoped the new restaurant would open in October. City Clerk Rudy Witsman said the Jacobs will use the money to help offset the remodeling costs.

4 Injured In Early Morning I-70 Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 Westbound at Milepost 146, Clark County

WHEN:                      Aug. 11, 2020 at 1:36 a.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2003 Blue Jeep Liberty

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Patrick Suber, 27 year old male from Indianapolis, IN – transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1- Jahmere Gordon, 18 year old male from Indianapolis, IN – transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

                                    Unit 1- Ryan Cardwell, 20 year old male from Indianapolis, IN – transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

                                    Unit 1- Linnie Cartadine, 19 year old male from Indianapolis, IN – transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was travelling west on Interstate 70 (in 1 lane construction zone) near milepost 146 in Clark County. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 lost control and left the roadway to the right. Unit 1 overturned several times down an embankment, coming to rest in the north ditch. Unit 1 driver and all 3 passengers were transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Driving While License Suspended, Improper Lane Usage, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle and Failure to Wear Seatbelt.

                                    Unit 1 passenger Cardwell was cited for Failure to Wear Seatbelt.

                                    Unit 1 passenger Caradine was cited for Failure to Wear Seatbelt.

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

Terre Haute Man Arrested for Sexual Misconduct With a Minor

Sullivan County - Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on June 4, 2020, after receiving information from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department indicating that a female juvenile had been sexually battered.

The Indiana State Police investigation revealed that Collin W. Kelty, age 21, of Terre Haute, Indiana, allegedly had been involved in sexual misconduct with a female juvenile.

After reviewing the investigation, the Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Smith-Mischler requested a warrant for Kelty’s arrest.  Sullivan Circuit Court granted an arrest warrant on August 7, 2020.  Kelty was served the arrest warrant today at the Sullivan County Jail, where he was already incarcerated from another investigation.   

Investigating Officer:  Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville District.

Assisting Agencies:  Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Sullivan County Department of Child Services and Susie’s Place.

Arrested and Charges: Collin W. Kelty, 21, Terre Haute, IN

• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 Felony

• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (2 counts), Level 5 Felony

• Child Solicitation, Level 5 Felony

• Vicarious Sexual Gratification - Victim under 16 but older than 13 (3 counts), Level 5 Felony

• Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors (2 counts), Level 6 Felony

City Makes Plans For New Park Restrooms

Construction is expected to start this fall on new permanent restrooms at Mt. Carmel’s City Park. Mayor Joe Judge said the two uni-sex restrooms are planned for an area in the middle of park away from the shelter house and will include two drinking fountains.

Speaking of the park, city officials are advising motorists to slow down while driving through. The new pickleball courts and increase play at the golf course have combined for additional traffic and pedestrians.