Three Injured in Three-Vehicle Crash Outside Effingham

Three people were injured in a three-vehicle collision Sunday morning outside Effingham.

The crash happened just after 10am on the interstate, two miles south of the Fayette Avenue interchange. A SUV driven by 42-year-old John Espino of Ft. Worth, Texas, a minivan driven by 42-year-old Travis Patchen of Whitehouse, Ohio, and a semi driven by 47-year-old Christopher Williams of Sunrise, Florida were all northbound. 

State Police report Espino lost control of his vehicle in the heavy rainfall at that time and struck Patchen's minivan. The minivan left the roadway to the right and traveled down an embankment and onto a frontage road.

Espino's SUV slid out of control and was struck by Williams' semi. 

Espino and two passengers, also from Ft. Worth, Texas, were injured and was transported by ambulance for treatment. Neither Patchen or his passengers nor Williams reported any injuries.

Espino was cited for driving too fast for conditions.