Fatal Crash at Fayette/Shelby County Line Sunday, Injury Crash Near St. Elmo Friday

A Herrick man was fatally injured Sunday evening.

The Fayette County Coroner's Office reports that 66-year-old Michael J. VanUytven was traveling just north of the Fayette County/Shelby County line when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. VanUytven was pronounced dead at Sarah Bush Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia.

A separate crash on Friday injured a St. Elmo resident.

Fayette County Sheriff's Office reported a crash just after 4pm in a rural area near St. Elmo. A motorcycle operated by 19-year-old Ryan K. Kraemer was southbound when Kraemer lost control of the cycle. Kraemer laid the cycle over and it skidded off into the ditch. 

Kraemer was treated on scene by Rural Med EMS, then airlifted for further treatment by Arch Air Medical. 

Fayette County Sheriff's Department, Altamont Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff's Office, and St. Elmo Fire Department all assisted at the scene.