Driver Charged With DUI After Another Crash At US 52 And Baker: ISP

MANHATTAN, IL — An Elwood man was charged with DUI after police say he ran a stop sign at a high-speed Manhattan intersection, causing a crash with another car driven by a New Lenox man.

The two-car crash happened just before midnight Saturday, May 20. Illinois State Police said Keith P. Henderson, 36, was driving an SUV westbound on Baker Road, when he failed to stop at a stop sign. Henderson's vehicle was struck by another SUV northbound on US 52, flipping Henderson's car onto its roof and sending it into a ditch, according to reports.

Henderson suffered minor injuries; the teen driving the second SUV was not injured. Both were taken to an area hospital. Two others involved in the crash refused treatment, according to Manhattan Fire Chief Steve Malone. Henderson was also cited for failure to stop at a stop sign, and possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

It was the second crash at the intersection in less than a week. On May 15, one person was critically injured and three required extrication when a southbound truck crossed the center line of traffic, striking another northbound. The northbound truck then struck a third car that had been stopped at a stop sign on Baker Road.

After last week's crash, Mayor Mike Adrieansen vowed to residents, "we are working to get IDOT to act" on the problematic intersection, which falls within the jurisdiction of Illinois State Police. Adrieansen and Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold have both said something needs to be done, as crashes continually happen at the high-speed curve and intersection. Adrieansen has again written state officials asking for help. Wold pushed for a closer look at the intersection and all crash reports on record.

"I'd like to see the state do a full investigation of all the traffic accidents that occurred here," Wold told Patch next week. "Ideally, I think a traffic signal would be the best, so we're not constantly stopping traffic here on 52. Whether a traffic signal, or a flashing yellow light, something needs to be done."