Wayne City Man Injured in Pickup-Deer Crash
Wayne City, IL – A 31-year-old man from Wayne City sustained injuries in a pickup truck-deer collision on the Route 161 Extension, near the Johnson Road intersection southeast of Iuka, according to Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps. The incident occurred on Friday night.
Sheriff Cripps reported that the driver, identified as James Burge, was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, having just passed another vehicle, when the vehicle struck the deer. Following the impact, the pickup truck veered off the road, went through a ditch, crossed a field, traversed Johnson Road, and went up an embankment, breaking through a fence before stopping in a field.
An Air Evac Helicopter was initially dispatched to the scene. However, the helicopter was called off before arrival after it was determined that Burge’s injuries were not critical. Burge declined transportation to a hospital, but left the scene with a family member, who might have taken him for medical attention.
Sheriff Cripps has indicated that the State’s Attorney will determine if any arrests will follow from the incident. The accident was reported at 9:20 PM on Friday night.
