Three Injured in Crash Near Centralia

Three people were injured in a crash near Centralia during the noon hour.

The crash happened at the junction of Illinois Routes 37 and 161. State police report a car driven by 80-year-old Ramona Oberlohr of Louisville failed to stop at a stop sign and T-boned a car driven by 32-year-old Nancy Kollak of Fairfield. Both units spun, with Kollak's car leaving the roadway and striking a utility pole. The pole snapped, dropping the center overhead flashing red light to the roadway.

The intersection is marked not only with the overhead flashing red light, but stop signs in all four directions.

Oberlohr was injured and was taken to Salem Township Hospital. Kollak and her passenger, 41-year-old Jason Carter of Kell, were both hurt and were taken to St. Mary's Centralia Hospital. Carter was later airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital.

Oberlohr was cited for disobeying a traffic control device.