UPDATE: The identities of those involved in the accident has been released by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the report from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, 20 year old, Preston Ward, of Shumway was traveling westbound on Route 32/33. At the same time, 47 year old, Darren B. Bumgardner, of Pana was traveling eastbound on Route 32/33. Ward attempted to turn, but failed to yield and turned into the path of Bumgardner. Ward’s passenger, 56 year old, David H Wells, of Shumway was transported to Carle Hospital by Air Evac. Ward was ticketed for failure to yield at intersection.
One person was airlifted by Air Evac following an accident that occurred at the intersection of Lake Sara Road and Route 32/33 at 10:53am on Saturday.
According to a post on the Shumway Fire Department’s Facebook page, the fire department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, and Effingham City County Ambulance were called to the intersection for a pin-in accident. After assessing the patients, they determined that a passenger of one of the vehicles needed transported by helicopter. Air Evac was called in and utilized MBI’s helo-pad. All personnel cleared the scene at approximately 11:30am.
Due to the accident, Route 32/33 was reduced to one lane.