Two Crashes w/Injuries in City Over Weekend; Police Also Investigate Retail Theft

Two crashes involving injuries were reported in Effingham over the weekend.

Both crashes occurred on Saturday, one at 7:37am at 1307 North Keller Drive. City police report a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Jordan Beals of Effingham rear-ended a vehicle driven by 54-year-old Bryan Lawrence of West Frankfort. 

A passenger in Lawrence's vehicle, 77-year-old Murrel Lawrence of West Frankfort, was injured but refused treatment. Beals was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash.

The other crash occurred just after noon Saturday at Willow and Fayette. A vehicle driven by 41-year-old Kyle Budde of Effingham struck a vehicle driven by 44-year-old Sheri Grupe of Effingham, causing Grupe's vehicle to spin around, leave the roadway, and strike and knock down an IDOT traffic signal.

A passenger in Grupe's vehicle, 20-year-old Kalie Grupe of Effingham, was injured, but refused treatment. Budde was cited for disobeying a traffic control device.

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City police are also investigating a retail theft that occurred at Walmart at 1204 Avenue of Mid America.

The theft occurred sometime around 7am Saturday. Four laptop computers were stolen, as well as a tote, 19 BEATS headphones and wireless speakers, 18 Blu-Ray players and 31 bottles of perfume. The items have a total value of $6,511.