Monroe County Independent

Update On HH Road Accident
Eugene Redd, 82, is recovering at an area hospital following minor injuries sustained during yesterday’s fatal two-vehicle accident on HH Road in Waterloo. Redd, of rural Waterloo, was driving a Ford Taurus, when it collided with the Ford Taurus driven by Breann Jones, 16, a sophomore at Waterloo High School. There were no passengers in Redd’s car and three in Jones’, including her step-sister Brittanie Holmes, a front-seat passenger who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jones and the two other passengers, Codie Wetzler and Kiefer Rosier, also sophomores at Waterloo High School, were taken by ambulance to hospitals in St. Louis, where they remain today in critical condition.

According to an initial police report, Jones was driving eastbound on HH Road when she lost control on the rain-slick road causing the car to cross into the path of Redd’s vehicle, which was driving westbound. Jones’ vehicle then left the roadway and came to rest against a fence.

That stretch of road was deadly several years ago for another Waterloo High School student. Cynthia Roberts was killed in a car accident May 27, 2004, on HH Road, just east of yesterday’s accident.

Illinois State Police accident reconstructionists plan to return to the scene as they continue their investigation along with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

Funeral arrangements for Brittanie Holmes are being handled by Braun Colonial Funeral Home in Cahokia.

James Weigel was not injured yesterday when his 2002 Ford ZX3 slid off of Route 156 near K Road, outside of Hecker, and slammed into a tree. He was ticketed for improper lane usage and not having his driver’s license in his possession.

Recent Obituaries
Robert E. Zollinger, 55, of Waterloo, died May 1, 2007, in Waterloo. Survivors include his parents, Ralph and Patty Zollinger nee Clark of Millersport, Ohio; wife, Mary Zollinger nee Timpe; children Tawnia Zollinger DVM (David Jurkowski) of Chicago, and Nicole Zollinger (Tim Gilbert) of Kansas City, Mo.; grandson Braden Gilbert; and step-sons Kyle Timpe and Austin Timpe. Visitation is Friday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A memorial service is Friday at 7 p.m. at Quernheim.

Calvin George Hogue Sr., 59, of Dupo, died May 2, 2007, in Belleville. Survivors include his mother, Genevieve Hogue of Dupo; children Angelic Hudson of Summerville, S.C., Jesse Hogue of LaGrange, Ky., and Calvin Hogue Jr. of Cahokia; grandchildren John Calvin Myers of Dupo and Tyler Matthew Hudson of Summerville, N.C.; brother Martin Hogue of Dupo; and sisters Barbara Few of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and Donna Pate of Owensboro, Ky. He was cremated, per his request.

From today's earlier email:

Four Waterloo High School sophomores were injured in a two-vehicle, head-on collision yesterday afternoon on HH Road in rural Waterloo, one-half-mile west of Moore Road. Brittanie Holmes, 16, was pronounced dead at the scene by Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer. Injured in the accident and riding in the same vehicle as Holmes were Codie Wetzler, Kiefer Rosier and Breann Jones.

Two of the students are at Cardinal Glennon and one is at Children’s Hospital. Injuries include compound fractures, bruises and bruised lungs.

“Their conditions are listed as critical, but they are expected to survive,” said WHS Principal Todd Manning.

Waterloo faculty met with Principal Todd Manning and Superintendent Jim Helton this morning at 7:15 a.m. to discuss the situation. Teachers were advised to inform the students during the first period about the accident and let them know help is available.

“There will be counselors today stationed in the library for the students and faculty,” said Manning.

The driver of the other vehicle, whose name has not yet been released, was not injured.

“It is very sad to begin and end the school year with a fatal car wreck,” said Manning, referring to the death last summer of WHS student Chris Hebel, who died in a wreck on Route 3 on his way to football practice.

Man Arrested In Connection With Dupo Hit And Run
The Dupo Police Department arrested 45-year-old Brian Chism in connection with the hit and run death last week of Danielle Craft, reports 550 KTRS. Craft died as she was walking along Main Street in Dupo and was hit by a minivan, which police allege was driven by Chism.

He is charged with reckless homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to report an accident involving injury or death, and false reporting of vehicle theft. Police say after the accident Chism reported his van stolen. His bond is set at $1 million.