Evansville Man Killed In I-64 Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 64 eastbound at Milepost 96, Four Mile Township, Wayne County

WHEN:                      Jan 6, 2022 at approximately 9:27 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – Silver 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Van

                                    Unit 2 – Black 2021 International Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – A 26-year-old male from Evansville, IN - Deceased

                                    Unit 2 – Austin J. Howell, a 23-year-old male from Joliet, IL – Refused medical attention

 

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 64 at Milepost 96 in Wayne County. Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on Interstate 64 in the same area. Unit 1 lost control, left the westbound lanes, traveled through the center median, and entered the eastbound lanes. Unit 1 struck Unit 2 head-on. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased.  The driver of Unit 2 refused medical attention.  The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU) is continuing the investigation. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

MCPD INVESTIGATES INCIDENT AT MCJHS

The following subject was arrested by the Mt. Carmel Police Department. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On 1/06/22, Mt. Carmel Police were dispatched to the Mt. Carmel Junior High School in reference to two female juvenile students receiving death threats through the social media application Snapchat by an unknown male. Officers began an investigation into the allegation resulting in the identification of the unidentified male, later determined to be another MCJHS student using an assumed ID to alter his identity. This juvenile had also threatened additional students as well the investigation revealed. Officers located the suspect juvenile and placed him under arrest for (2) counts of Cyberstalking and (2) counts of Harassment by Electronic Communication, both of which are felonies. The suspect is being held in custody pending transfer to a juvenile detention center. MCPD and the Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman take these allegations seriously and will respond accordingly to protect other students.

Southern Illinois Man Killed In Union County Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 22

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 3, just south of Refuge Road, south of Ware, Union County

WHEN:                      Jan 5, 2022 at approximately 8:06 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – Tan 2004 Chevrolet Silverado

                                    Unit 2 – White 2018 Mack Truck Tractor Tanker Trailer

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – A 25-year-old male from Jonesboro, IL – Deceased

                                    Unit 2 – Jacob E. Wininger, a 30-year-old male from Marion, IL – Refused medical attention.

 

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 3 in the area of Refuge Road. Unit 1 was traveling southbound on Illinois Route 3 in the same area.   Unit 1 swerved into the northbound lane, striking the driver’s side of Unit 2. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased. The driver of Unit 2 refused medical attention.  The northbound lane was opened at approximately 2:00 a.m. and the southbound lane was opened at approximately 7:50 a.m. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

First Snow Of Year Typical Causes More Driving Issues

A big part of the Tri-State is expected to see the first snow of the season today as a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of the Tri-State. And, the first snow of the year always brings an unusual number of accidents as motorists seem to have forgotten how to drive in winter conditions. Illinois State Police trooper Josh Robinson says even a small amount of snow can cause problems…

Robinson says caution is the key word when you’re driving in winter weather…

Less than an inch of snow is forecasted for Wabash County, but other areas of the Tri-State, primarily to our south, could see up to three inches of snow.

Wabash County COVID Cases See Christmas Spike

THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES IN WABASH COUNTY HAS TAKEN A STEEP RISE. HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR JUDY WISSEL REPORTED TO WABASH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TUESDAY, HER DEPARTMENT HAS LOGGED 150 POSITIVE CASES SINCE CHRISTMAS, COMPARED TO 86 LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME PERIOD. IN REFLECTION, THERE WERE 212 CASES FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND THREE DEATHS. 108 PEOPLE ARE IN ISOLATION AND 50 IN QUARANTINE. WABASH COUNTY’S POSITIVITY RATE IS 5.7 PERCENT.

School Officials Hoping For Uninterrupted Second Semester

Wabash District #348 officials are crossing their fingers that the recent spike in COVID cases doesn’t cause issues for schools when classes resume this week after the Christmas break. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer says he noticed an increase in cases just before the holiday break began on December 17th and it could foreshadow issues heading into the second semester…. 

Bleyer said while the last school year was marked by frequent remote learning days, he’s hoping that’s not the case in the second semester… 

Students in District #348 return to class tomorrow. 

Driver Faces DUI Charge Following Wayne County Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURIES

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Traffic Crash with Injuries

WHERE:                   Wayne County Road 2400 E at County Road 545 N, Wayne County

WHEN:                      Jan. 2, 2022 at approximately 12:13 a.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1 – Gray 2010 Ford F-150

                                   

DRIVER:                   Unit 1 – Ryan J. Webb, a 39-year-old male from Fairfield, IL – Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was southbound on County Road 2400 E approaching the T-intersection of County Road 545 N.  Unit 1 traveled through the T-intersection, subsequently overturning into a creek.  The driver of Unit 1 was transported to by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Improper Lane Usage.

 

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