Johnson County accident claims life of area woman

A Southern Illinois woman sustained fatal injuries in a two-vehicle accident which happened early Saturday morning in Johnson County.

Three other persons were injured in the accident.

Illinois State Police at Ullin reported that the accident happened at about 1:55 a.m. Saturday on Illinois Route 37, 1 mile north of Route 146 near West Vienna.

State police reported that Rebecca Sue Elliott, 34, of Karnak, sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Elliott was pronounced dead at the scene by the Johnson County coroner.

Two southbound passenger cars were involved in the accident.

The driver of one of the cars was identified as Manuel Gonzales, 25, of Boles. He was the only person in the car.

Gonzales sustained minor injuries. He was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion for treatment.

The driver of the second car was identified as Darshanna Pittman, 37, of Grand Chain.

Pittman sustained major injuries and also was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Sue Elliott was a passenger in the Pittman vehicle.

A second passenger in the Pittman vehicle, identified as Susan Barnes, 43, of Grand Chain, sustained major injuries.

Barnes was airlifted to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind., for treatment.

State police reported that the Gonzales vehicle was traveling south on Route 37. His vehicle apparently struck the rear of the Pittman car.

Pittman’s car then slid sideways, went off the right side of the highway and struck a tree.

Pittman and Barnes both were wearing seat belts. Elliott was not wearing a seat belt, state police reported. Authorities had not determined if Gonzales was wearing a seat belt.

State police reported that Pittman was cited for driving under the influence.

Gonzales was cited for aggravated driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and for not having a valid driver’s license.