Man allegedly causes 6-vehicle crash in Murphysboro

Man allegedly causes 6-vehicle crash in Murphysboro

According to authorities, a six-vehicle chain reaction crash occurred on New Highway 13 in Murphysboro, Illinois, on Dec. 15 around 4:36 p.m. Witnesses indicated that a 31-year-old Carbondale man driving a 2001 Honda Civic likely caused the collision.

Reports indicate that the man was traveling west on the highway when he approached its intersection with Country Club Road. He reportedly swerved from the driving lane, crossing over the passing lane and striking the rear-end of a vehicle that was sitting behind two other cars in the turning lane. The force of the initial collision then in turn reportedly caused the struck vehicle to then collide with the vehicle in front of it, causing a chain-reaction crash.

As the man’s Honda crossed the passing lane prior to hitting the cars in the turning lane, a woman driving a 2014 Chevy in the passing lane swerved in an attempt to avoid the Honda. In doing so, her car also collided with one of the turning lane cars before then striking another vehicle. The woman was transported via ambulance for treatment of injuries she sustained in the accident. The alleged at-fault driver was also transported to the hospital for treatment. The man was charged with improper lane change and failing to reduce his speed, and no other injuries were reported in the accident.

Drivers who fail to pay attention to the traffic around them can cause car accidents as a result of their negligence. When an injured person files a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver, the driver may be held to be civilly liable for the damages that resulted. In addition to property losses, plaintiffs may be able to recover medical expenses and other damages.

Source: KFVS, “1 charged in connection with six-vehicle crash“, Amber Ruch, December 15, 2014