The following incidents were obtained from Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones. Note that arrests, charges and citations are allegations only, not findings of guilt.
May 5
• Deputies responded at 2:59 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Webb Hill Road north of State Rt. 14. The investigation concluded that a 2003 GMC Sierra driven by Merlin R. Weaver, 18, of Benton was traveling northbound on Well Hill Road. A 1988 Ford F150 pick-up truck driven by Christopher M. Clements, 17, of Ewing pulled out of a private drive and into the path of the GMC, causing the crash. There were no injuries, and a ticket was issued for failure to yield right of way.
• Deputies responded at 4:15 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Buckner. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Stephen A. Morris, 24, of Buckner on a charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Dustin L. Motsinger, 32, of Mt. Vernon on a warrant for drug charges.
May 6
• Deputies responded at 8:28 a.m. to a domestic dispute in Mulkeytown. The investigation led to the arrest of Nichole M. Pratt, 35, of Christopher on charges of aggravated assault and possession of methamphetamine.
May 7
• Deputies responded at 9:31 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Carlyle Road in rural Thompsonville. The investigation concluded that a 2000 Chevrolet Trail Blazer driven by Hunter L. Woodring, 18, of Thompsonville was traveling westbound when he lost control, ran off the roadway, struck several small trees and overturned. The driver suffered unknown injuries and was transported to a local hospital by family members.
• Deputies arrested Michelle A. Palmer, 33, of Johnston City on a warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.
May 8
• A traffic stop at 5:53 a.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Derek M. Sloan, 30, of Galatia on a charge of driving while license revoked and for an outstanding Union County warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.
May 10
• Deputies responded at 12:09 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on State Rt. 149 near Antioch Church Road. The investigation concluded that a 2011 Ford Focus driven by Haley Ann Simmons, 20, of Energy was traveling eastbound behind a 2012 Honda Civic driven by Mackenzie K. Trent, 18, of West Frankfort. The Civic slowed to make a left turn and was rear- ended by the Focus. There were no injuries, and Simmons was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
• Deputies responded at 1:40 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Park Street Road at Lincoln Road. The investigation concluded that a 2017 GMC truck driven by Sean P. Murphy, 38, of Johnston City was eastbound on Park Street Road and slowed to negotiate a right turn when he was rear-ended by a 1999 Dodge 1500 truck driven by Matthew T. Stowers, 34, of Du Quoin. There were no injuries, and Stowers was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
May 12
•A traffic stop at 7:35 p.m. in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Richard W. Mobley, 53, of West Frankfort on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 8:28 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 34 just east of Ford Road. The investigation concluded that a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Richard W. Harbour, 61, of Benton was westbound and struck a deer that crossed in front of the motorcycle. Both the driver and a passenger, Jennifer M. Rumsey-Harbour, 39, of Benton, were ejected and sustained major injuries. Both were air-evacuated to an out-of-state hospital. Neither was wearing a helmet.
• Deputies arrested Keri L. Case, 37, of Carmi on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.
May 14
• Deputies responded at 8:09 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on State Rt. 37 south of Benton near Andrews Road. The investigation concluded that a 2018 Jeep Liberty driven by Paul E. Taylor, 45, of Herrin was southbound, ran off the west side of the roadway and overturned. The driver sustained undetermined injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. The driver will be charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Deputies arrested Thomas J. Wiley, 39, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear for resisting arrest.
• Deputies arrested Joshua K. Cook, 41, of Christopher on a warrant for failure to appear for criminal damage to property.
May 16
• Deputies responded at 8:15 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash on II. Rt. 154 at II. Rt. 37. The investigation concluded that a 2004 Ford Explorer driven by Roxanne L. Thomas, 33, of Geff was eastbound on Rt. 154. As the Explorer approached the intersection with Rt. 37, it failed to stop at the traffic control device and pulled into the path of a southbound 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Crystal D. Griffith, 42, of Bonnie. Griffith sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Thomas sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. She is being cited for disobeying a stop sign.
• Deputies responded at 8 a.m. to a reported suspicious person near a private residence in Orient. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Robert J. Carlton, 48, of Mulkeytown on charges of criminal trespass, possession of hypodermic needles and obstructing a peace officer.
May 17
• A traffic stop at 8:45 a.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Megan C. Brown, 32, of Anna on a charge of driving while license revoked.
• Deputies arrested Kellie L. Collins, 42, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear for criminal damage to property.
