Fatal Crash Sunday on Funkhouser Road (UPDATED TO INCLUDE DRIVER'S NAME)

The Effingham County Coroner's Office and the Effingham County Sheriff's Department are investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Sunday afternoon on Funkhouser Road.

Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes reported the crash occurred at 3:02pm at the Little Wabash River. A preliminary investigation determined the driver, 40-year-old John James of Watson, was northbound at what Rhodes termed a high rate of speed when the vehicle blew a tire and left the roadway. The unit then struck a guard rail and flipped over, coming to rest on the south side of the road.

Rhodes said James was critically injured and was transported to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Hospital personnel notified Rhodes' office at 4:33pm that James had died in the emergency room.

Medical records were requested and toxicology samples were taken by the coroner's office to assist in the investigation, which is being conducted by the Coroner's Office and the Effingham County Sheriff's Department.