Man Who Struck Flagger Pleads Guilty

The Strasburg man who struck a flagger in a construction zone on the north side of Effingham earlier this year has pleaded guilty.

20-year-old Zane Smart was charged with a felony count of being responsible for an accident that resulted in injury or death. The charge stems from an incident earlier this summer when Smart's vehicle struck a flagger working on a construction project along US 45 north of Technology Drive and then leaving the scene.

Smart was placed on 30 months' probation including 180 days in jail, and was given credit for 80 days served awaiting a disposition of the case. The sentence was also imposed in cases Smart had pending in Macon County and Shelby County.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the sentence seemed appropriate since Smart had no previous felony convictions.