Four Vehicle Crash Injures Three

Three motorcycles and a car were involved in a crash during the noon hour Monday in Fayette County, injuring the three motorcycle riders.

State police said the crash occurred at 12:34pm on US Route 40 at 1950th Street. Police say a westbound car driven by 62-year-old Sharon Durbin of St. Elmo pulled onto the highway, causing a number of vehicles in the eastbound lane to rapidly slow to avoid a collision.

Three motorcycles ridden by 56-year-old Patrick Lynch, 56-year-old Christopher Robinson, and 52-year-old Paul Ozog, all of Southfield, Michigan attempted to pass the rearmost vehicle in the eastbound lane, but then spotted Durbin's car approaching in the westbound lane. Lynch atttempted to slow, lost control of his cycle, and fell over on the pavement. The cycles ridden by Robinson and Ozog struck Lynch's downed cycle and fell over onto the pavement as well.

Lynch, Robinson and Ozog were each injured and were taken to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia. 

Lynch, Robinson and Ozog were each ticketed; Lynch for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, and Robinson and Ozog for following too closely. Durbin was cited for failure to yield at a private drive.