Driver in injury crash banned from driving

0

A Springfield man accused of leaving the scene of a crash last week was ordered to have no driving privileges as a condition of bond earlier this week.

The condition was made during a Tuesday arraignment hearing for Joshua B. Willaman, 32, 530 N. Shaffer St., cited with leaving the scene of an accident, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and driving under a non-compliance suspension stemming from a crash last week.

According to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area of U.S. Route 68 and Springfield Urbana Pike on Aug. 24 on a report of an injury crash. Champaign County dispatchers were also receiving calls of a single-vehicle crash into a ditch in the area of U.S. Route 68 and Dallas Road where the driver had fled on foot.

Dispatchers were advised by the Clark County Sheriff’s dispatch that German Township police had attempted to stop a vehicle on U.S. Route 68 northbound near Tremont City Road. Champaign County deputies were advised the suspected vehicle had passed the German Township police cruiser at a high rate of speed.

An investigation into the crash revealed that the silver 1999 Nissan Altima was driven by Willaman. This was the same vehicle that did not stop for German Township Police.

The vehicle continued into Champaign County, losing control as Willaman attempted to pass another vehicle on the right-hand shoulder near Springfield Urbana Pike. Willaman crossed the median and struck a 2003 Mitsubishi driven by Nicole Sweatfield, of Urbana.

Following the collision, Willaman reportedly continued to the area of U.S. Route 68 at Dallas Road and went into a ditch. Willaman was transported from the scene of the crash by Urbana EMS to Mercy Memorial Hospital.

A trial in the case is scheduled for Aug. 19, according to the Champaign County Municipal Court website.

Willaman was issued a traffic citation in the Clark County Municipal Court for speed, reckless operation and driving under suspension. An arraignment in that case was also scheduled for Tuesday and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26 according to the court’s website.

By Nick Walton

[email protected]

Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

No posts to display