State police released details Friday on a fatal accident Thursday that resulted in the death of a one-year-old child about a mile east of the Merriam Crossroads east of Fairfield. According to Illinois State Police, 24-year-old Porscha M. Schultz of Fairfield was eastbound on Illinois Route 15 and had pulled over on the westbound shoulder at a mailbox, then pulled back onto the roadway and was hit in the rear by a 2015 Kenworth semi, driven by 29-year-old Jordan M. Ambrous of Carmi, IL. Schultz and a front seat passenger, 24-year-old Alissa J. Crum of Altamont, IL were flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. A child in the rear passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner Carrie Dagg. The accident occurred at about 1:35 Thursday afternoon. Ambrous was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
A search warrant executed Thursday evening in Carmi resulted in the arrests of two White County residents. According to reports out of Carmi, police executed the warrant just after 6:30 Thursday evening in at 311 Fackney in Carmi, and during a search, found 33-year-old Amy Flowers of Crossville and 44-year-old Ronald Gene Grove of Carmi and arrested both on several drug charges, including possession of methamephatime. Both were taken to the White County Jail following their arrest.
Carmi Police reported Thursday the arrest of 39-year-old Jay Parrish of Mt. Carmel. Reports from Carmi said Carmi police spotted Parrish walking along 4th and Fackney in Carmi and knew he had a Wayne County warrant for failure to appear on a meth charge. Parrish was arrested and taken to the White County Jail. Bond was set at $1000.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY say the region has a small possibility of some strong or severe thunderstorms later this afternoon and tonight. While widespread severe weather is not expected, the region could see a few storms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail and an isolated tornado or two. Rainfall is also expected to move into the area again later this afternoon and into tonight. with rain chances off and on for the area the next few days.
Area river stages as of this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 19.03 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 7.4 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 18.25 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.61 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 12.39 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet.