Charges filed in fatal January crash

A 20-year-old Red Bud woman is now facing felony charges in connection with a Jan. 10 crash south of Hecker that resulted in the deaths of 19-year-old Abigail Liefer of Ruma and Hannah Marie Porter, 20, of Red Bud.

Crystal R. Steinheimer was charged Friday with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, both felonies. She was issued a notice to appear at the Monroe County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 4, on the charges.

The head-on collision occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, on Route 159 just south of Sunset Lane between Hecker and Red Bud. Illinois State Police said Steinheimer’s northbound 2008 Chevrolet Aveo crossed over the center line “for unknown reasons” and drove into the path of a southbound 2007 Chevy Cobalt driven by Liefer, who was later pronounced deceased. Porter was a backseat passenger in Liefer’s car. The front seat passenger in Liefer’s car, Grace Richards, suffered only minor injuries.

Steinheimer, who was cited for improper lane usage and no seat belt, was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Monroe County, Hecker and Red Bud emergency responders and helicopters from both Survival Flight and ARCH Medical Services assisted ISP with the crash.

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Corey Saathoff

Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
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