3 People Critically Injured After Crash in Coal City
Four men who were cleaning up from the annual Octoberfest celebration were hit while working.
Photos
Four men were injured, three critically Saturday night while cleaning up from the local festival.
"We had the Octoberfest Celebration downtown and they were cleaning up after it and they were struck by a vehicle," Coal City Fire Protection District, Public Information Office and Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Doerfler said.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m., on Broadway and Oak Street in Coal City, a crash occurred between a vehicle and a pick-up truck that was pulling a trailer.
"When we got there, we determined that there were four patients, one was airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital," Doerfler said.
Two were taken to Morris Hospital and the fourth refused medical treatment.
Details of the crash were sketchy Saturday night, but Doerfler did say that one of the men was standing and one was driving when they were hit. It is not clear whether the driver of the second vehicle was injured.
Doerfler described the two men that were taken to Morris Hospital as critical but stable.
Doerfler was not able to confirm if the men were employees of Coal City.
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Barry Johnson
8:27 am on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Tom Brown of rural Coal City was the driver who hit the city workers. He apparently had just left a "local establishment" when he struck the men.
Cody
8:32 am on Sunday, October 7, 2012
how is the man that was taken to good sam?
erik olson
12:05 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
The man is my Uncle Darrel. He's lost one leg and maybe the other. Is this Tom Brown from Coal City. Is he in jail? I hope he stays there.
Carol Spalla
1:57 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Eric, prayers for him and everyone else that was injured. Darrel is a wonderful man.
Wayne Gatzby
12:06 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
well the man who was airlifted is my uncle. he lost one leg and may lose the other, but he will survive
Carol Spalla
2:24 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Wayne prayers for your family.
Rozeeta
12:17 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
This is awful! Prayers to your family Wayne! I hope your Uncle has a speedy recovery. As for the man who caused this, I hope you get to spend some "quality time" in jail with a cellmate named Bubba who "breaks in" the newbies! wink-wink!!
John
1:26 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Seriously Ann, this guy was drunk and hit these guys helping clean up after a town festival. You are probably related to the guy.....
Nanette Scott
3:48 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Ann probably isn't even her real name.
L
1:57 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Ann, are you frigging kidding me! A drunk a-hole plows into people and thats what you say! The driver is a d-bag and deserves everything he has coming to him
Kaitlyn Marks
3:18 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Darrell is the love of my mothers life. Darrell is like a father to me. Ann, you shouldn't make ignorant comments like that. Darrell is in a hospital bed with his left leg missing and not has to live his life as an amputee. What about the other men who were working? They didn't open their doors too fast. The man should not have been driving. We are thankful that he has his life, but because of John he will not be able to live it like he wanted too. Do us all a favor and don't force us to look at your disgusting posts.
Carol Spalla
3:28 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Very sorry for Darrel and your mom. He is such a wonderful guy. Works so hard for the Village. I have met him while he has been working in the village and he was at my home fixing an issue with the water just a few weeks ago. From what I hear one of the guys that was with him was uninjured and the other two haven't heard anything else other than stable condition. Prayers for Darrel have been said at church this morning and continue with our family. He has a community pulling for him already signs are already out for his support.
Nanette Scott
3:49 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Kaitlynn, I don't know you. I know Darrell and I have met your Mom. What a blessing that they have one another. My prayers go out to you all.
Erika peak
3:33 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Absolutely agreed katy, this made me so angry to see what people assume. They really think he got out of the truck without looking! You have no idea what my family is going through, I hope the DRUNK, careless driver that has changed our lives forever had a great time last night! I also hope he never crosses any of my family members paths!
lala
5:21 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
I missed the post by this Ann person but can guess what she said. It really does not matter if Darrel did not look. The driver should not have been on the roads drunk. Laws need to be tightened more on these people that "choose" to drink and drive. First offense they should have their license revoked for life. They get too many chances but their victims don't, do they? Too many people have been killed and injured. When I first saw this story I could not help but think of this poor man out working, losing a leg and what his family must be going through. You are in my prayers.
Nanette Scott
3:42 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Prayers for Darrell, Terri, Kara, and their families. Ann is an ignorant coward who is probably using a fake name.
Kelly Netrval
5:57 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Darrell is the closest thing i have to a fater in my life right now and i can't believe someone so ignorant could ever point fingers and say this is Darrell's fault.aybe if this man wasn't so damn selfish and was only thinking about himself hen getting behind the wheel, this whole thing could've been avoided! But noone will ever think its Darrell's fault, it's a guy who has to live with this guilt under his belt for the rest of his life! We all love you Darrell, all our prayers are with you!
Carol Spalla
6:06 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Kelly, prayers for you family and Darrell of course. I also hope the other two guys that were injured are recovering as well from their injuries too. It is a shame that someone had to be so selfish and get behind the wheel to go a few miles down the road drunk and ruined 3 men's lives forever. The bartender should have cut him off and not allowed him to get behind the wheel.
Smitty
10:21 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Prayers sent for the injured workers and their families.
Cheryl Paquette
12:33 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Darrell has been afriend of mine for a lot of years This is dispicable!! He didnt deserve this !! My prayers go out Darrell and to all of us who LOVE him and his Family GOD BLESS!!
Anna R
10:49 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Does anyone have the names of all involved. We recently moved from the area and my husband is worried because he knows some of the city workers.
Carol Spalla
11:10 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Anna, Danny Lewis was involved but uninjured. The other two peoples identities have not been revealed as of yet. I have one name but can't confirm yet.
Bill
10:50 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Guarantee all of u have consumed alcohol at one time and gotten behind the wheel. Just never got caught or caused any injuries.
Carol Spalla
11:12 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Bill obviously you are a friend to the accused but it doesn't make it right that he got behind the wheel of the vehicle and committed a felony. Drinking and driving is illegal period! The person that committed the crime should have had friends find him a ride home or he should have walked considering he lives in town. The accident was avoidable completely. The bartender over served him as well.
Bill
11:21 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
No I agree with u. I think the person should be prosecuted to the fullest. I'm not friends with anyone involved. Just saying we have all committed that felony just didn't get caught.
Carol Spalla
11:28 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Can honestly say no I have not. I have seen too many accidents with the fire department and what drinking and driving can do and I choose not to do that. If we ever go out we always have one not drink to have a safe ride home. Felony is not what I want on my record nor the guilt the rest of my life of causing an accident or possibly killing someone. That type of accident is avoidable if you don't get behind the wheel while under the influence.
john rotten
2:45 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
know one wakes up n says i think i'll get drunk and seriously hurt someone. Coal city has a big alcohol problem. I know cause i lived there and am going through counceling by my own choice>
merillsmith
6:09 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
more then a problem...been going on forever. It sickens me to see how people point fingers. The driver chose to drink and drive-end of story...its his daily routine. he did it now he has to suffer the consequences. God Bless the injured and his family and hope he is given the strength to make it thru this. CC is known for not being able to have fun unless they have a drink in their hand. Parents teach teach their kids as soon as they can walk-oh and when they turn 21 they meet them up at babes for free drinks then leave-then pray their kids get home safe. just so pathetic. Its not a special drink anyways,the kid has already drunk with their parents before they were 18.
Dawn Aulet
5:30 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
We have updated this story. All of the families and those injured are in our thoughts.
http://channahon-minooka.patch.com/articles/charges-filed-in-coal-city-crash-one-victim-remains-hospitalized
Carol Spalla
6:38 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
You hit the nail on the head. The police could be patrolling more when there are activities like this but they don't. This accident could have been completely avoided.
Michelle
8:32 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
STOP ALL THE GOSSIP, there are two children involved.
Carol Spalla
7:36 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
No gossip, the facts are the facts.