Car and Pickup Truck Collide on Rickelman Avenue

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Published on June 1 2018 5:51 am
Last Updated on June 1 2018 7:52 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Both drivers were taken for treatment from a collision involving a car and a pickup truck on Rickelman Avenue Thursday night.

Effingham County Sheriff's Department was called to the scene at 9:33pm. The collision occurred in front of WET Pools and Spas.

Sheriff's deputies report a car driven by 48-year-old Heidi Vanbellehem of Effingham was westbound when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by 20-year-old Nicholas Griffith of Effingham. The pickup truck caught on fire, but Griffith and his passengers were able to escape before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Vanbellehem and Griffith were both injured, as were Griffith's passengers, 17-year-old Taylor Coleman of Watson and 19-year-old Colten Monnet of Mason. All four were taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Vanbellehem was cited for improper lane usage; deputies indicate additional charges are pending.

Shumway Fire Protection District firefighters were called to the scene when the pickup truck caught on fire, assisted by Effingham firefighters. Abbott EMS also assisted at the scene.

Rickelman Avenue was closed at the scene of the crash for more than an hour.