31 year old, Jesse M. Saunders of Marion was cited by Illinois State Police for Driving Under the Influence or Alcohol and Failure to Yield at a Stop Sign, following a Saturday morning traffic crash that sent both drivers and a pedestrian to the hospital. Saunders was northbound on Hamilton County Road 600E and was stopped at the intersection with Illinois Route 14. He then proceeded forward in his 2006 Ford F-150 XLT and into the path of a 2012 International Truck Tractor, semi-trailer, driven by Paul D. Drew, 57, of Benton. Drew’s vehicle struck the driver’s side of Saunder’s pickup, causing it to travel across Route 14, striking a pedestrian, Phyllis Sue Bowers, 69, of McLeansboro, who was standing on the north shoulder of Illinois Route 14. Saunders was transported to an area hospital by ambulance and was later flown by Air Evac to a regional hospital for further treatment. Drew and Bowers both sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital by ambulance. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Illinois State Police were assisted at the crash by the Hamilton County Sherriff’s Department, McLeansboro Police Department, McLeansboro Fire Department, Harre Ambulance Service, Dave’s Towing, and Bowman Auto Body and Towing.
