Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

For Immediate Release:
April 28, 2011
1:02 PM

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – With the recent heavy rains District 11 Commander, Captain Brad Parsons, would like to remind the public to be safe when traveling through areas experiencing flooding.

The following are some tips to assist motorists.
• Check for road conditions prior to your trip. A list of road closures can be found at http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/closures.txt.
• Be aware of and obey "High Water" and "Road Closed" signs.
• Avoid driving through water over a roadway.
o Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
o A foot of water will float many vehicles.
o Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.
• Be aware of debris left in the roadway from flooding. Logs, rocks and mud can be left on the roadway from flooding.
• Be on the lookout for downed electrical power lines, especially in water over the roadways.

Following these simple tips will assist in safe travel during this wet season. In addition, as a general reminder, always buckle up, obey the speed limit, limit distractions while driving, and don't drink and drive.

(See attached file: FloodInformation.pdf)

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Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2011
7:52 AM

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – Captain Parsons, District 11 Commander, announced today that the Illinois State Police may conduct Roadside Safety Checks (R.S.C) in the Metro-East area, St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Bond, and Clinton counties, during the month of May.

A roadside safety check is an effective tool for generating voluntary compliance by the motoring public. The potential to come across these checks encourages motorists to arrange designated drivers, keep their consumption of alcohol within the allowable limits, or not drive a motor vehicle after drinking. Safety checks are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road.

Across the country, an average of one alcohol-related traffic death occurs every 45 minutes. Alcohol and drug impairment are significant factors in over 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Each year in Illinois, hundreds of lives are lost in alcohol-related crashes. Don't risk losing your license, your car, and your freedom. If you drive impaired, law enforcement will arrest you.

Officers working the R.S.C. will also be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license, and transporting open alcoholic beverages.

This Roadside Safety Check is funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

(See attached file: RSCNotification_May.pdf)

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Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2011
7:42 AM

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – Captain Parsons, District 11 Commander, announced today that District 11 officers will conduct Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (s.T.E.P) from May 1 through May 31. Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols will be conducted in Madison and St. Clair counties.

District 11 Troopers will concentrate on speeding, failure to use occupant restraints and other driving offenses as part of their enforcement efforts. Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols involve a combination of increased enforcement and public information designed to raise public awareness of and compliance with all traffic laws. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.

Safety Belt Enforcement Zones may also be used during the s.T.E.P. program. Troopers will enforce the primary safety belt law to ensure drivers and their passengers are buckled up. Every hour, someone dies in America simply because they are not wearing their safety belt. Statistics show that half of all people killed in traffic crashes are not properly buckled up. You can save your life by driving safely and simply buckling up.

Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols are funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

(See attached file: Step0411.pdf)

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Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

For Immediate Release:
April 21, 2011
7:14 AM

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads. In Illinois there are over 414,000 registered motorcycles and 625,000 licensed motorcycle drivers. With that in mind, drivers of all vehicles, need to be extra attentive and make sure you "Start Seeing Motorcycles."

Motorists are reminded that motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides the following tips for sharing the road with motorcycles:

• Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Do not share the lane.
  
• Motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than vehicles, which can make it more difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.
  
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the motorcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
  
• Remember that motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
  
• Don't be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals usually are not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
  
• Remember that road conditions that are minor annoyances to motorists can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists may change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
  
• Allow more following distance when following a motorcycle. This will ensure the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

The 30 foot motorcycle banner that declares "Start Seeing Motorcycles" will be moved around the Metro-East throughout the motorcycle season. Any organization, business or community that wishes to display a banner should contact Trooper Mike Link at 618.346.3524 or via e-mail at mike.link@isp.state.il.us.

The "Start Seeing Motorcycles" banner is currently being displayed in front of Illinois State Police District 11 headquarters in Collinsville and can be seen from I-55/70.

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ISP District 11 Crash Release- Crash #11-11-01122 Corrected

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

***CORRECTION TO NARRATIVE***

Date: 04/18/2011
Time: 09:52 pm
Location: IL Rt. 111 southbound to I-64 Westbound (Washington Park)
County: St. Clair
Crash Number: 11-11-01122

Unit 1
Vehicle Description: 1995 GMC Yukon
Driver Name: Demarco L. Doss
Gender: Male
Age: 26
City/State of Residence : East St. Louis, IL.
Seatbelt use: No
Injuries: Fatal
Taken To: N/A

Narrative:
Unit one was traveling on the IL Rt. 111 southbound entrance ramp to I-64 westbound. Driver of unit one lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle flipped over the south shoulder. Witnesses stated that the Yukon was travelling at a high rate of speed on the entrance ramp to I-64.

* The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

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ISP District 11 Crash Release- Crash 11-11-01182

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

Date: 04/18/2011
Time: 03:07 pm
Location: I-64 Westbound @ Mile post 14 (Near O'Fallon)
County: St. Clair
Crash Number: 11-11-01182

Unit 1
Vehicle Description: 2005 Dodge Caravan
Driver Name: Nicholas J. Ronketto
Gender: Male
Age: 34
City/State of Residence : Carbondale, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: Memorial Hospital-Belleville

Passenger 1
Unit #: 1
Name: Vicky L. Lewis
Gender: Female
Age: 31
City/State of Residence: Carbondale, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: Memorial Hospital - Belleville

Passenger 2
Unit #: 1
Name: Minor
Gender: Female
Age: 3
City/State of Residence: Carbondale, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: Memorial Hospital - Belleville

Passenger 3
Unit #: 1
Name: Minor
Gender: Male
Age: 5
City/State of Residence: Carbondale, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: Memorial Hospital - Belleville

Passenger 4
Unit #: 1
Name: Minor
Gender: Male
Age: 9
City/State of Residence: Carbondale, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: Memorial Hospital - Belleville

Unit 2
Vehicle Description: 2003 Buick
Driver Name: Mark D. Goins
Gender: Male
Age: 26
City/State of Residence : Alton, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: Memorial Hospital-Belleville

Passenger 1
Unit #: 2
Name: Marqueta L. Goins
Gender: Male
Age: 26
City/State of Residence: Collinsville, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: Minor
Taken To: St. Elizabeth's - Belleville

Unit 3
Vehicle Description: 1992 Jeep Cherokee
Driver Name: Lawrence C. Richey
Gender: Male
Age: 59
City/State of Residence : Summerfield Alton, IL.
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: No indication of injury
Taken To: N/A

Narrative:
Units one, two and three were traveling on I-64 Westbound @ Milepost 14. The driver of unit one stated he looked down for a second and when he looked back up he struck the rear of unit two. This caused unit two to strike unit three in the rear. The driver and passengers of unit one all sustained injuries. The driver and passenger of unit two sustained injuries. Driver one's vehicle sustained front end damage. Driver two's vehicle sustained front and rear end damage. Driver three's vehicle sustained rear end damage.

The driver of unit one was issued citations for failure to reduce speed to cause an accident and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

* The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2011
09:28 a.m.

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – Captain Parsons, District 11 Commander, announces the results of a Roadside Safety Check held on Friday April 15, through the early morning hours of Saturday April 16. The detail was conducted on Illinois Route 3 southbound at I¬-270 by officers from ISP District 11.

Alcohol is involved in over 40 percent of fatal crashes in Illinois. Roadside Safety checks are designed to remove alcohol-impaired drivers, however, when other violations are observed such as driving with a suspended or revoked license, operating a vehicle without a valid registration or insurance, or safety belt violations, enforcement action may be taken. The following citations and written warnings were issued at the safety check:

Citations Warnings
Registration offenses 3 4
Driver's license offenses 5 3
Equipment Offenses 1 8
Occupant restraint offenses 3 N/A
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol 0 N/A
Other alcohol/drug arrests 5 N/A
Other Traffic Offenses 11 0
Criminal Arrests 5 N/A
TOTAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY 33 15

This Roadside Safety Check was funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

(See attached file: 041511RSC.pdf)

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Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE

For Immediate Release:
April 7, 2011
11:09 a.m.

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – Illinois State Police District 11 Commander, Captain Brad Parsons, has announced District 11 enforcement figures and activity for March 2011.

Illinois State Police District 11 Troopers issued 2,547 citations, 1,273 written warnings, and made 224 criminal arrests during the month of March. Speeding accounted for 774 citations and 533 citations were issued for occupant restraint violations.

Troopers investigated 287 traffic crashes, assisted 856 motorists, and conducted 659 commercial vehicle inspections, 100 of which were placed out-of-service. There were 38 arrests made for driving under the influence and 91 other citations issued for alcohol related violations.

District 11, which encompasses Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties, experienced four traffic crash fatalities in March. According to the National Safety Council the major contributing factors to motor-vehicle deaths in the United States are lack of occupant protection, alcohol, speeding, young drivers, distractions, and large trucks. In an effort to reduce fatalities, the Illinois State Police uses enforcement activities and educational programs to fight these major contributing factors.

(See attached file: SummaryMarch.pdf)

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ISP District 11 Crash Release- Crash #11-11-01013

Illinois State Police District 11
Crash Release

Date: 04/05/2011
Time: 07:58 a.m.
Location: Illinois Route 111- 300 feet north of Artmore Drive
County: Madison
Crash Number: 11-11-01013

Unit 1
Vehicle Description: 1999 Ford Explorer
Driver Name: Bobbie Jo Stauder
Gender: Female
Age: 34
City/State of Residence : Mitchell, IL.
Seatbelt use: No
Injuries: Serious
Taken To: Gateway Regional Hospital then St. Louis University Hospital via ARCH


Narrative: Unit #1 was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 111 approximately 300 feet north of Artmore Drive. Unit #1 ran off the road to the right shoulder for an unknown reason. Driver of Unit #1 tried to correct and swerved back onto the roadway, lost control, and overturned. Unit #1 then slid off of the roadway to the right. The driver of Unit #1, Bobbie Jo Stauder, was not wearing her seatbelt, and she was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Driver of Unit #1 sustained serious injuries, and was transported by ambulance to Gateway Regional Hospital, and was then transferred to St. Louis University Hospital by ARCH Helicopter.

Stauder was issued traffic complaints for Improper Lane Usage, Failure To Reduce Speed To Avoid An Accident, Driving With A Revoked Driver's License, and Failure To Wear Seat Belt.

The Illinois State Police would like to remind motorists of the importance of wearing their seat belts, and its effectiveness in reducing injuries if you are involved in a traffic crash.

Master Sergeant Brent Beltz #4588
Illinois State Police District #11

* The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt.