Authorities said an Illinois man was under the influence of alcohol Friday evening when he crashed his utility vehicle in Gallatin County, injuring himself and killing his passenger.
Thirty-year-old Derrick J. Jackson, of Elizabethtown, suffered injuries in the wreck, which occurred at about 5:20 p.m. Friday, according to car accident reports from the Illinois State Police. His passenger, 23-year-old Hanna P. McCree, of Herrin, died from injuries sustained in the incident.
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Jackson at about 5:20 p.m. Friday was driving a UTV north on Forestry Road in the Pounds Hollow Recreation Area when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle went onto the shoulder and Jackson overcorrected, causing the UTV to crash into a tree, according to car accident reports.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but McCree had succumbed to her wounds before she could be transported to a hospital for treatment. Jackson was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries authorities described as non-life-threatening.
Neither Jackson nor McCree were wearing seatbelts at the time of the wreck, according to car accident reports.
It isn’t yet clear what caused Jackson to drive off the roadway, according to investigators. However, authorities said they suspect Jackson had consumed alcohol prior to the crash.
Jackson was cited by the Illinois State Patrol for driving under the influence of alcohol. The U.S. Forestry Service, meanwhile, cited him for driving an ATV in a recreation area.
The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, and it wasn’t clear car accident reports available Sunday whether more citations or criminal charges are expected.
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