Driver takes eyes off the road, causes two-vehicle crash near Lancaster

Taking his eyes off the road to put out a cigarette ended up causing a crash for one man, involving several others, in the North Lancaster Township Friday morning, Nov. 18, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 11:30 a.m., deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 61 near Enterprise Drive. Patricia Martin, 79, of Bloomington, was traveling northbound on the highway in her 2006 Buick LaCrosse. Fabian Hurley, 54 of Prairie du Chien, was also traveling northbound on Highway 61 in his 2005 Ford F150, behind Martin's vehicle. As Martin was slowing to make a left-hand turn and waiting for oncoming traffic to pass, Hurley was looking down to put out a cigarette. By the time he tried to stop, he could not do so in time and rear-ended Martin’s vehicle.

Two of the passengers in the Hurley vehicle sustained minor injuries, including Mickey Hill, 48, of McChesney Park, Ill., and Eliza Kulp, 22, of Blue River. A third passenger, Shawn Burgus, 46, of Prairie du Chien, was not injured. Neither Hurley nor Martin were injured either. All involved were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

The Buick sustained heavy rear-end damages and was removed from the scene by B&M Auto, of Bloomington. The Ford sustained minor front end damage and was driven from the scene.

Hurley was cited for inattentive driving. Assisting at the scene were Lancaster EMS, the Lancaster Fire Department and the Lancaster Police Department.