The following incidents were obtained from Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones. Note that arrests, charges and citations are allegations only, not findings of guilt.
April 27
• Deputies responded at 5 p.m. to a private party ATV crash at the Diesel Mud Park, located southwest of Zeigler and south of Rt. 149. Billy M. Reed, 63, of Benton sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS.
• Deputies responded at 5:40 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt.14 just east of Rend City Road. The investigation concluded that a 1995 Chevrolet 1500 pick-up truck pulling a trailer was westbound on Rt. 14 and attempted to negotiate a left turn onto a gravel lane. A 2002 Ford pick-up driven by John D. Gulley, 39, of Benton struck the trailer and Jon boat being carried by the trailer. There were no injuries, and the driver of the Chevrolet, William J. Wysong, 35, of Thompsonville, was ticketed for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
• Deputies responded at 7:24 p.m. to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Yellow Banks Road 1/4 mile west of Hill City Road. The investigation concluded that a 2009 Harley Davidson driven by Steven A. Hagston, 53, of West Frankfort was eastbound when he stated he lost control after swerving to avoid a dog. The motorcycle left the roadway and overturned. The driver was transported by Abbott EMS with major injuries.
• Deputies responded at 10:18 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 34 near Liles Road. The investigation concluded that a 2017 Nissan driven by Bridgette A. Williams, 45, of Thompsonville was traveling westbound on Rt. 34 when the driver stated that a deer ran out in front of her. She swerved to avoid the deer, lost control, left the roadway and overturned. The driver suffered major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS.
April 28
• Deputies responded at 4:51 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 37 at Forest Baptist Church Road. The investigation concluded that a 2005 Hyundai driven by Nathan S. Smith, 18,of Carterville was southbound on Rt. 37 and struck the rear end of a 2015 Chevrolet driven by Hannah G. Goffinet, 16, of Benton, who was attempting to negotiate a right turn onto Forest Baptist Church Road. There were no injuries, and Smith was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
• Deputies responded at 11:30 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of Cheryl L. Strickler, 48, of Benton on a charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Charles R. Mariano, 61, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.
April 29
• Deputies responded at 1:04 a.m. to a domestic dispute in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Mirya L. Melvin, 35, of Benton for domestic battery.
• Deputies at 1:29 a.m. investigated a traffic incident in Buckner that resulted in the arrest of Dakota R. Gregge, 23, of Buckner on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Deputies responded at 12:28 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Sharazad Askoorochi, 61, of Benton on charges of aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Deputies arrested James M. Laur, 39, of Sesser on a warrant for failure to appear for domestic battery.
April 30
• Deputies arrested Brittani S. Anderson, 31, of Herrin on a warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.
May 2
• Deputies arrested Stefany J. Webb, 37, of Marion on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.
• Deputies arrested Debbie K. Copher, 45, of Orient on a warrant for delivery of a controlled substance.
May 4
• Deputies arrested Andrew C. Roberson, 29, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear for domestic battery.
