15-Vehicle Crash on Interstate North of Effingham Sunday

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Published on February 15 2016 7:23 am
Last Updated on February 15 2016 8:15 am
Written by Greg Sapp

A 15-vehicle crash stopped travel on southbound I-57 for about four hours Sunday afternoon.

The crash happened just after noon about two miles north of Sigel. The crash was the result of a vehicle stopped in the roadway, with the chain-reaction crash following. A semi and 14 other vehicles were involved.

Four people were injured in the crash, including the driver of the first vehicle, 41-year-old Tremayne Posey of Antioch, Tennessee and his passenger, 44-year-old Anita Maddix of Antioch, Tennessee. They were taken to Carle Hospital in Urbana for treatment.

The only area driver involved in the crash is 38-year-old Wade Wilhour of Beecher City. He and his passenger, 36-year-old Emily Wilhour of Beecher City, were not reported injured.

The other two people injured were drivers 41-year-old Carol Streator of Glenwood and 30-year-old Tory Nelson of Pulaski, Arkansas. Both were taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham for treatment.

The investigation into the crash continues.

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A separate three-vehicle crash resulting from the first crash occurred at 1:18pm Sunday near Sigel.

Vehicles driven by 23-year-old Kelsey Stites of Wildwood, Missouri and 52-year-old Carlos Figueroa of Hialeah, Florida were stopped for the first crash when a vehicle driven by 59-year-old Norene Sleeman of Herrin failed to stop in time. Police say Sleeman attempted to drive between the two vehicles, who were stopped in opposite lanes and ended up hitting both vehicles.

Sleeman was injured in the crash and was taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County for treatment. Sleeman was cited for no valid insurance and failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash.