Jefferson County Coroner Eddie Joe Marks says a 33-year-old rural Mt. Vernon womanis dead following a three vehicle crash late Monday afternoon on Illinois Route 15 in front of the East Hickory Hill Baptist Church eight miles east of Mt. Vernon. The victim is identified as Tamara Barnes of Route 37 North. Marks says initial information indicates Barnes was unable to slow in time for a vehicle in front of her. Barnes clipped the rear of the vehicle and then slammed into an on-coming westbound car head on. Those at the scene attempted CPR unsuccessfully and Barnes was pronounced dead on the scene. Marks says there was Halloween activity taking place at the church apparently resulting in the traffic slowdown that set off the series of events. Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch says the car Barnes initially struck was driven by 29-year-old Travis Hayes of Mt. Vernon. Hayes had apparently slowed to make a right turn into the church. Mulch says the car that Barnes hit head on was driven by 58-year-old Jane Colvin of Wayne City. Colvinwas initially taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon and then transferred to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana for treatment of incapacitating but non life-threatening injuries. Hayes, his wife, and two young children, all refused medical treatment. Mulch says the accident remains under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Division. The wreck occurred at 4:55 Monday afternoon. - http://goo.gl/2RrH1
