One Person Killed, Another Injured in Crash South of Effingham Thursday Morning

One person was killed and another person was injured in a crash south of Effingham Thursday morning.

The crash happened at 7:37am on US 45, just south of Dutch Lane on the north edge of Heartville.  State police say a southbound vehicle driven by 35-year-old Melly R. Hofer of Effingham crossed the centerline of the highway and collided head-on with a northbound vehicle driven by 18-year-old Brittany N. Baker of Watson.

Baker was killed in the crash.  Effingham County Coroner Duane Guffey pronounced her dead at the scene.  Hofer was injured and was first taken to St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham and then was transferred to Carle Hospital in Urbana.

Hofer was cited for improper lane usage.  Authorities say weather was not a factor in the collision.

Watson Fire Protection District and Effingham firefighters assisted in extricating both drivers from their vehicles.

Travel on US 45 was disrupted for two hours after the crash.

Funeral information for Brittany Baker is located here.