HARRISBURG—After four major accidents in five weeks, including one fatality, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was informed this morning that the Illinois Department of Transportation will study the West Poplar Street/Bill Franks Bypass (Illinois 13) intersection, to determine what needs to be done to improve safety and reduce accidents.
On Friday afternoon (March 14) a fourth accident occurred in the intersection, in which the Harrisburg Fire Department had to extricate someone from the vehicle. A request for a helicopter was also made but was declined due to the windy conditions. Saline County deputies assisted with the accident. Harrisburg Police Department handled the accident and will have further information on the people involved.
Opie’s Towing and Saline County EMS also assisted with the accident.
On Friday, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was also notified by the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office in Indiana that Frances Brugger of Junction had died from her injuries she sustained on March 4, 2014, at an accident at the same intersection.
“I have learned from Representative Brandon Phelps today that IDOT will begin a study of the intersection,” said Sheriff Keith Brown. “This has been a joint effort between the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and the Harrisburg Police Department to have the intersection reviewed for additional safety features to reduce accidents,” continued Sheriff Brown.
Photo submitted by Saline County Sheriff’s Office