WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL — An investigation continues into a Friday afternoon crash that injured two people on southbound Illinois 148 at Illinois 13 in Williamson County. According to Illinois State Police, minutes before becoming involved in this crash, a Herrin Police officer saw the driver of a purple 2010 Ford Explorer driven by 40-year-old James F. McKee of Du Quoin commit a traffic violation. The officer tried to stop McKee, but he sped away. The officer stopped the pursuit.

After fleeing from the Herrin officer, McKee was southbound on Illinois 148 and entered the intersection with Illinois 13 against the red traffic light attempting to turn left. McKee struck an eastbound silver 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by 22-year-old Lauren E. Walker of Elkville pushing it into an eastbound blue 2017 Ford hatchback driven by 25-year-old Matthew O. Lizakowski of Bloomington, IL. McKee and Lizakowski were not injured. An ambulance took Walker to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger in McKee’s vehicle, 35-year-old Mallory M. Martin of Johnston City, was also taken by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger in Lizakowski’s vehicle, 20-year-old Mason C. Costoff of Cary, IL, was not hurt. After an hour, all lanes were reopened after crash investigation and scene clean-up. The Herrin Police Department is investigating the pre-crash events and no further information is available from the Illinois State Police.

McKee was issued citations for driving while license revoked, disobeying a traffic control device, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and failure to yield turning left.