Fatal accident occurs Jan. 20 on Route 3

A Cape Girardeau man sustained fatal injuries in a two-vehicle traffic accident which happened Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, on Illinois Route 3 near the Union-Alexander county line.

Illinois State Police at Ullin said the accident happened at about 3:18 p.m. Jan. 20. The scene of the accident was about a quarter of a mile south of the county line.

State police said that Jonathan L. Chamberlain, 28, of Cape Girardeau was fatally injured in the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chamberlain was a passenger in a truck driven by Brandon Scott Hinkle, 25, of Cape Girardeau.

Hinkle was injured in the accident and was transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau for treatment.

The second vehicle involved in the accident was a semi tractor trailer. State police identified the driver of the semi as Vernon J. Chotrow, 34, of Perryville, Mo.

Chotrow also was injured and taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau for treatment.

State police reported that the vehicle driven by Hinkle was traveling south on Route 3.

The truck apparently crossed the center line and struck the semi head on.

Both of the vehicles which were involved in the accident sustained major damage.

State police said Hinkle was cited for improper traffic lane usage.