1 charged in connection with six-vehicle crash

MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - The Jackson County Sheriff's Department responded to a six vehicle crash on New Highway 13 at the intersection of Country Club Road in Murphysboro, Illinois.

Alexander Sauer, 31, of Carbondale, was charged for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage.

According to the sheriff's department, on Monday, Dec. 15 around 4:36 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a multi vehicle crash.

When they arrived, they say they determined six vehicles total were involved.

They say evidence on scene and witness statements indicate that a 2001 Honda Civic driven by Sauer, was going westbound on New Highway 13 approaching the intersection of Country Club Road.

The Civic swerved suddenly from the far right lane (driving lane of New 13), crossed over the passing lane and slammed into the rear vehicle of a row of three vehicles sitting in the turn lane.

Deputies say the impact caused a chain reaction between all of the vehicles sitting in the turn lane and pushed all them into each other.

At the same time, deputies say a 2014 Chevy car driven by Sheila Sawyer of Ava, Ill. was also going westbound in the passing lane of New 13.

When Sauer's Civic suddenly crossed into her lane, deputies say Sawyer tried to avoid Sauer's car, and also hit one of the vehicles sitting in the turn lane.

Deputies say her airbags deployed causing her to lose control and cross through the intersection. Her car made minimal contact with a sixth vehicle in the opposite side of the intersection.

In all, deputies say four of the six vehicles were towed from the scene.

Sawyer was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Sauer was taken by private vehicle to an area hospital for treatment.

Deputies say no other injuries were reported on scene.

The investigation is ongoing by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

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