Weekend Report: Accidents north of Mason, Bridgeport man arrested in Mt. Carmel…

Two people were injured in a crash about a mile north of Mason, Illinois Thursday afternoon. Illinois State Police reported that 51 year-old Kent A. Keppler of Farina, was driving a gray 2010 Toyota Corolla southbound on Illinois Route 37, just north of Mason, when his car drifted into the northbound lanes and into the path of a black 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. 31 year-old Bryan K. Jones of Effingham was the driver of the Equinox, who attempted to enter the southbound lane to avoid the crash, but Keppler’s vehicle swerved back into his lane and struck Jones’ vehicle head-on. Keppler was air-lifted from the scene to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Jones was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, where he was then air-lifted to Carle. Keppler was ticketed for improper lane usage.

 


A Bridgeport man was one of two people arrested following a traffic stop in Mt. Carmel Thursday night. Mt. Carmel Police arrested 26 year-old Brittany L Jarosik of Saint Marie, and 33 year-old Cameron W Jones of Bridgeport following a traffic stop at 9th Street & Enterprise Lane. The arresting officer observed Jarosik operating a red Pontiac and knew her to have a suspended Illinois Driver’s License. Jones, who was a passenger in the vehicle, became uncooperative and began trying to remove items from the vehicle. The officer ordered Jones to stop and he refused. Jones was placed under arrest for Resisting a Peace Officer. An officer located suspected Methamphetamine inside a deodorant can that Jones had in his possession during this incident. Jarosik and Jones was taken to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with Driving While License Suspended and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle. Jarosik’s bond was set at $200. Jones was charges with Possession of Methamphetamine and Resisting a Peace Officer. Jones is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.


The Illinois State Police will be taking a proactive approach to promote safety for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists through both education and enforcement during Speed Awareness Day on Wednesday. In Illinois during 2015, speed was the reason for 34.2% of all traffic fatalities. That’s 369 deaths for the year, or one life every 23.7 hours. These lives can be easily saved by being aware of speed and understanding how speeding impacts a crash. All motorists are asked to take part by taking a proactive approach to prevent fatalities and reduce injuries on the roadways by being aware of their speed and obeying the speed limit signs all the time.