The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

December 1, 2008

ROUNDUP — One hurt in Route 1 crash

ROSSVILLE — Slick roads on Sunday resulted in a collision that split a car in half and left one driver in the hospital.

The two-vehicle accident happened at 7:18 a.m. Sunday along Illinois Route 1, about a ¼ mile north of Rossville.

Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Dennis Wood said the one driver, Gregory Baumann, 58, was injured and taken to Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital. From there he was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

A Carle spokeswoman said Baumann was listed in critical condition.

The second driver in the accident, 24-year-old Heather Boen, was shaken up as a result of the accident, but uninjured, Wood said.

Boen told a deputy she was headed south toward Rossville when she spotted Baumann’s 1989 Lincoln coming northbound, appearing as though it was sliding and out of control. It appeared driver regained control, but just as the vehicles met, the Baumann apparently lost control again. The car collided with the driver’s side of Boen’s 1997 Chevrolet truck.

Wood said the collision split the Lincoln in half.

No citations have been issued and an investigation into the accident is continuing.

The accident was the first and the most serious of a series of weather-related accidents that occurred as a result of snowfall in the region during the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, Vermilion County was in the middle of the range of snow flakes that fell throughout Vermilion County during the holiday weekend. Totals in the county ranged from 3 and 3.2 inches in Hoopeston and Rankin respectively to 4 inches in the Sidell area.

But the traffic problems are no surprise.

“It’s pretty typical of the first snowfall situation of the year,” Wood said, adding the sheriff’s department held over deputies from the overnight shift to deal with the barrage.

Accidents were reported along county and state roads as well as Interstate 74, Wood said. None of the damage was major.

Oftentimes, drivers don’t plan ahead and allow enough driving time. Wood said people need to keep their vehicle at a reasonable speed in order to get it stopped if a problem presents itself.

The weather-related crashes are just another staple of the season for motorists.

“We start with deer problems and with the first snow or two, end up with a mass of vehicles in ditches,” Wood said.

 An Indiana man faces charges in connection with holding two teenagers at gunpoint during the holiday weekend.

Jerome D. Blair, 69, was taken into custody on a charge of pointing a loaded firearm at a person following the incident at 7 a.m. Saturday.

According to the Vermilion County, Ind., Sheriff’s Department, the 17-year-olds told officers they were in a truck that slid off the road at County Road 1400N and Baker Lane.

Blair, the teens said, came out to the truck and pulled a gun on them, forcing the two to walk up to his home where they were held by Blair until authorities arrived.

Blair said he was tired of people tearing up things and people driving up and down the road. His bond was set at $7,000.

Here’s a look at recent law enforcement calls:

Saturday:

Burglary and property damage in the first block of Tillman Street.

Graffiti reported at The Resale Shop, 1029 E. Main St.

Domestic dispute in the first block of Patty Drive.

Sunday:

Window broken in the 1200 block of Perrysville Road.

Domestic battery in the 900 block of Wakley Drive.

Burglary along County Road 2500E.

A man arrested for battery at the Black Sheep Bar, 125 S. Chicago St., Rossville.

A man and a woman arrested for domestic battery in the 100 block of North First Street.

Aggravated arson and reckless discharge of a firearm reported at 3002 E. Main St.

Deceptive practice and theft reported in the 700 block of Grant Street.

Disorderly conduct reported at Digital City, 128 N. Walnut St.

Vehicle stolen along County Road 330N, Ridge Farm.

Attempted burglary in the 200 block of South State Street.

Monday:

A 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra stolen in the first block of Iowa Street.

Home invasion in the 700 block of Cleveland Street.

Accidents involving tickets or injuries include:

Sunday, 2:02 a.m. — At 19 S. Kimball St. involving Pia Billips, 40, of the 800 block of South Street. She was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving without proof of insurance.

Sunday, 5:54 a.m. — In the 3400 block of Lynch Road involving Jason McDaniel, no age listed, of the 1800 block of Perrysville Road. McDaniel was cited for driving without proof of insurance.

Sunday, 10:17 a.m. — At 206 W. Railroad St., Alvin, involving Lori Wells, 32, of Alvin. She was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and leaving the scene of an accident.

Sunday, 11:47 a.m. — At Denmark Road and County Road 2300N involving Mary Meyers, 67, of the 22100 block of Henning Road, and Sheryl Venis, 41, of Danville. Meyers was cited for failure to yield.

Firefighters responded to the following calls:

Sunday, 8-8:17 a.m. — A medical call in the 900 block of Campbell Lane.

Sunday, 1:49-2:07 p.m. — An overheated flue pipe caused a call to 7 Briarcliff St.

Sunday, 2:07-2:22 p.m. — A medical call in the 200 block of Edwards Street.

Monday, 1:20-1:47 a.m. — A medical call in the 300 block of Lynch Drive.

Monday, 3:15-3:36 a.m. — A person who fell caused a call to the 300 block of Porter Street.

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