EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - Authorities said a driver is charged with failing to secure children who were injured in a Monday night crash.Â
Illinois State Police said the crash happened at about 7:10 p.m. Monday along I-57 southbound (mile post 157). An unknown vehicle in the left lane swerved and nearly hit a 2000 gray Honda van, causing the van driver to swerve to avoid a collision.Â
Troopers said the van driver left the road to the west and crashed. Arkansas driver Kimyada Hunter, 40, and eight passengers were hospitalized with injuries.Â
A 7-year-old minor in the van had life-threatening injuries and was airlifted from the scene. Every other passenger, including two 2-year-old minors, one 4-year-old minor and four adults, had non-life-threatening injuries.Â
Troopers said Hunter was cited for improper lane usage, four counts of failure to secure a child in a child restraint device and one count of operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.Â
Two adult passengers were also charged, with one cited for failure to wear a seat belt and the other for illegal transportation of alcohol.Â
No information is available at this time about the 7-year-old child's condition.
