The following incidents were obtained from Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones. Note that arrests, charges and citations are allegations only, not findings of guilt.
July 7
Deputies responded at 10:49 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Rt. 14 one and a half miles west of Rend City Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Victory motorcycle was eastbound on Rt. 14 behind a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The Toyota slowed due to a westbound ambulance. The motorcycle was unable to slow and struck the rear of the Toyota. The driver of the Toyota, Nicole D. Brokening, 37, of Pinkneyville was uninjured. The motorcycle rider, Joseph A. Phelps, 41, of Du Quoin sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. He also was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, operating an uninsured vehicle and violation of driver's license classification.
July 9
Deputies responded at 3:13 a.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Orient Blacktop at the intersection with Orient Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by Brittany M. Hickman, 22, of West Frankfort was westbound and failed to stop at the intersection, coming to a halt in a ditch. There were no injuries. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
A traffic stop at 4:33 p.m. at North Marcum Beach resulted in the arrest of Joshua C. Watkins, 39, of Carmi. Watkins is a registered sexual predator and was charged for being within a public park. This charge is a class A misdemeanor.
Deputies responded at 9:03 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort and subsequently arrested Christopher R. Brinkmeier, 44, of Benton on a charge of misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
Deputies responded at 11 p.m. to a reported dispute at a residence in Orient. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Dakota Joly McClure, 26, of Kansas City, Mo. McClure was arrested as a fugitive that had absconded from parole from the state of Missouri. The investigation also resulted in the recovery of a 2007 Honda TRX25O ATV reported stolen July 8 in rural West Frankfort. On July 11, Bryan E. Hollis Jr., 29, of Orient was charged with theft.
July 10
Deputies responded at 4:22 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Freeman Spur that resulted in the arrest of Ronnie Absher, 47, of Freeman Spur on a charge of domestic battery.
Deputies arrested Jason S. Lyell, 42, of Christopher on a failure-to-appear warrant for an original charge of unlawful
interference with a public utility.
Deputies arrested Devin A. O'Daniell, 23, of Royalton on a failure-to-appear warrant for an original charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies arrested Donna S. Carroll, 33, of West Frankfort on a failure-to-appear warrant for an original charge of obstructing identification.
July 11
Deputies responded at 4:41 p.m. to a four-vehicle crash on Rt. 37 at Yellow Banks Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Ford Crown Vic driven by Malissa L. South, 50, of Christopher was eastbound on Yellow Banks Road. She had stopped, intending to proceed east across Rt. 37 onto Rumblers Crossing. The Ford pulled into the path of a southbound 2000 Chevrolet driven by Joshua J. Martin, 38, of Johnston City. The Ford struck the Chevrolet, pushing it into a 2006 Chrysler driven by Christina Sue Orcutt-Silva, 33, of Christopher. The Chrysler had been north bound and was stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn onto Yellow Banks Road. The Chrysler was forced by the impact into a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up that was behind the Chrysler. The pick-up was driven by Jimmie R. Rodgers, 25, of Cisne. All of the vehicles sustained major damage, but only minor injuries were reported with all refusing medical treatment. The driver of the Ford Crown Vic, Malissa South, was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.
Deputies arrested Melissa L. Fears, 27, of Granite City on a failure-to-appear warrant for original traffic charges.
July 12
Deputies responded at at 1:25 a.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of the Dustin R. Swain, 23, of Benton on a charge of domestic battery. Swan is charged as a felon as well as being a parole violator.
Deputies responded at 9 a.m. to a reported suspicious person at North Sandusky Campground at Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Steve D. Bratton, 57, of Woodlawn on a charge of being a convicted child sex
offender loitering within a public park. The charge is a class A misdemeanor.
Deputies responded at 8:31 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Valier that resulted in the arrest of Dennis C. Donaldson, 47, of Valier on a charge of domestic battery.
Deputies responded at 3:12 p.m. to a single-vehicle crash on Rt. 37 north of Benton. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1999 Toyota Camry driven by Kathryn F. Wilkerson, 32, of Benton was south bound on Rt. 37 when the driver lost control, left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned. The driver sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. She will be cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and driving while license suspended.
July 13
Deputies arrested Kristen L. Clevenger, 29, of Sesser on a charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Deputies arrested Brooke A. Burnett, 31, of Herrin on a failure-to-appear warrant for original traffic charges.
Deputies arrested Antwon M. Brown, 28, of Carbondale on a failure-to-appear warrant for an original retail theft charge.
