UPDATE: 10:31 P.M.: WE ARE GETTING REPORTS THAT CORTEZ RAN INTO THE WOODS AND COLLAPSED. EMTS LOCATED HIM UNCONSCIOUS IN THE WOODS. HE IS NOW SEDATED AND THEY HAVE INSERTED A BREATHING TUBE TO ASSIST HIS BREATHING. CORTEZ HAS ABRASIONS TO HIS FACE, WITH ONE EYE SWOLLEN AND HIS ADOMEN IS DISTENDED AND FIRM. THE FEMALE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TIFFANIE THOMPSON FROM HARRISBURG.
UPDATE, 8:20 P.M.: CORTEZ HAS BEEN FOUND; AND A SECOND AMBULANCE HAS BEEN CALLED FOR HIM. THE FEMALE VICTIM HAS BEEN LIFEFLIGHTED AND IS EN ROUTE TO DEACONESS IN EVANSVILLE.
FELTY HAS JUST CALLED FOR A SECOND HELICOPTER TO MEET THE SECOND AMBULANCE AT HARRISBURG MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE DRIVER.
Tiffanie Thompson
SALINE CO.– Disclosure has just received a report from an official source that there has been a single vehicle crash east of Carrier Mills blacktop on Old Rte. 13.
Sources indicate a car struck head-on a tree and caught fire.
There are reports the male driver of the vehicle fled the scene.
A female passenger is said to be suffering from head trauma and a broken arm, and is said to have suffered significant smoke inhalation.
The vehicle was confirmed to be registered to a Cortez Ellis. Ellis was later confirmed as the driver of the car and the individual who fled the scene immediately following the crash; reports indicate that the vehicle was suspected of moving in excess of 100 mph when the driver lost control.
Officials say that Saline County Ambulance transported the injured female from the scene.
Check back for any updates as details become available.