EFFINGHAM —
A Flora man died as a result of injuries he sustained after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pickup truck at approximately 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of U.S. 45 South and Dutch Lane in Effingham County.
Charles W. Burkett, 31, of Flora, along with passenger Sara Burkett, 29, of Flora were riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on U.S. 45 when it was struck by a Nissan pickup truck driven by George R. Sandifer, 43, of Effingham.
According to a Illinois State Police District 12 report, Sandifer was westbound on Dutch Lane approaching U.S. 45. Sandifer stopped at the stop sign and then proceeded across U.S. 45 but failed to see the approaching motorcycle that collided with the front of his vehicle. Both Burketts were ejected.
Both Burketts were transported to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where Charles Burkett was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m. by Champaign County Coroner Duane E. Northrup. Sara Burkett was being treated for serious injuries and remains in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Sandifer was not injured. He was cited for failure to yield at an intersection.
According to Northrup, there was no autopsy.
The accident remains under investigation by the coroner’s office and Illinois State Police.
As emergency personnel were dealing with the motorcycle-truck accident, another crash occurred in the same vicinity.
According to state police, April Schuette, 43, of Effingham was slowing in traffic because of the accident at the intersection of U.S. 45 and Dutch Lane when her vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Darlene Coffin, 35, of Watson at 2:52 p.m., who failed to slow her vehicle down in time to avoid the accident.
Schuette was injured and transported to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, where she was treated for minor injuries. Her condition is unknown because the hospital does not release patient information.
A passenger in the Schuette vehicle, Yvonne Just, 83, of Effingham was not injured.
Coffin was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Local News
Motorcycle-truck accident claims life of Flora man
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