Name of Injured Man Found in St. Anthony High School Released

An injured man was found inside St. Anthony High School early Thursday morning.

The man, 24-year-old Christopher S. Ford of Effingham, was discovered by individuals arriving at the school for an early morning workout.  Ford was bleeding and blood was found on the floor of the building when the individuals arrived.

St. Anthony Athletic Director Kevin Palmer said he was contacted about 6:15am about the man and went to the school to investigate.  Palmer then phoned an ambulance and Effingham City Police.

City officer Andy Warner said he arrived on scene at 6:24am and talked with Ford, who was then taken to St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Warner said it's thought Ford's vehicle continued through the intersection of Willow and Temple and north on the alley that provides access to two homes north of the intersection.  He said the vehicle then struck a snowpile still in place after the high school parking lots were plowed and then continued into the student parking lot where it struck a curb and came to a stop.  

Warner said Ford apparently found an unlocked door and entered the building, most likely to get out of the cold.

There was no damage to the school building.

Ford was arrested on counts of DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid the accident.