ACCIDENT CLOSED I-70 EAST BOUND IN FAYETTE AND BOND COUNTIES YESTERDAY
The Illinois State Police have released more information regarding the accident that shut down I-70 eastbound yesterday between Mulberry Grove and Vandalia. ISP told WGEL Radio that Jerry Loflin age 56 of High Point Indiana was traveling eastbound when he pulled the semi he was driving over to the right shoulder of the road about 4 miles west of Vandalia in Fayette County.
Around 10:50AM Edwin Levine age 57 of Oklahoma City, driving a ford truck and pulling a trailer, tried to change to the left lane of traffic when he saw Loflin stopped on the right shoulder. When Levine noticed that the left lane of traffic was occupied he over corrected and left the roadway to the right striking the back of Loflin’s semi according to the Illinois State Police. Both Loflin and Levine were taken to Fayette County Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. However the Interstate was closed or down to just one lane for most of the afternoon. The cargo in the semi was batteries according to the Illinois State Police. The crash remains under investigation and Levine has been charged with alleged improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid and accident.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR LIVINGSTON MAN
The search continues for a missing Livingston man, last seen in Bond County. 38 year-old Christopher Kostadin was reported missing by his mother Saturday June 23rd and last seen Thursday night in the 12000 block of Leuscher Road in Bond County. Kostadin’s vehicle was later found on Hughes road in rural Sorento. Livingston Police told WGEL Radio the search continued Wednesday with the help of dogs. More help, including additional dogs, is set to arrive Thursday morning when the search resumes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Livingston police at 637-2300 or the Madison County Sheriff's Department at 692-4433. You may see a picture of Christopher Kostadin at wgel.com or in the Wednesday WGEL Daily.
GRASS FIRE IN MULBERRY GROVE
Mulberry Grove Firefighters responded Wednesday, at 1:20 p.m., to the scene of a grass fire on Memory Lane Road north of Mulberry Grove. According to Mulberry Grove Fire Chief Dwight Volkmar, people were burning trash in a box and the fire ignited the grass surrounding the box. The flames spread until they covered approximately one acre. The fire was spreading into some trees when firefighters extinguish the flames. The fire caused no additional damage. Ten firefighters from the Mulberry Grove and Keyesport Fire Departments were on the scene about half an hour.
Last week, several area fire chiefs stressed you should avoid outside burning as the very dry conditions and gusty winds easily cause fires to get out of control and spread.
