Fatal crash on Route 159 south of Hecker

Pictured is the crash scene on Route 159 south of Hecker on Saturday night. (Kermit Constantine photo)

Two young Red Bud women are dead and two others injured following a head-on collision that occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday on Route 159 just south of Sunset Lane between Hecker and Red Bud.

Monroe County, Hecker and Red Bud emergency personnel and helicopters from both Survival Flight and ARCH Air Medical Services assisted Illinois State Police with the crash.

ISP said a northbound 2008 Chevrolet Aveo driven by Crystal Steinheimer, 20, of Red Bud, crossed over the center line for unknown reasons and drove into the path of a southbound 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Abigail A. Liefer, 19, of Ruma.

Liefer was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Steinheimer was also airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where she remains in “serious but stable” condition.

Abigail Liefer and Hannah Porter

The back seat passenger in Liefer’s car, Hannah Marie Porter, 20, of Red Bud, was rushed to Red Bud Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by the Randolph County coroner. The front seat passenger in Liefer’s car, Grace E. Richards, 20, of Red Bud, was transported to a Belleville hospital by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries.

Steinheimer and Porter were not wearing seat belts, ISP said, but the others were.

Steinheimer was cited for improper lane usage and no seat belt. Police initially said there was no evidence of alcohol in or around the scene, but upon further investigation they are “not ruling out” alcohol as a contributing factor in the crash, which continues to be investigated.

Visitation for Porter is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud, with the funeral to follow at 7 p.m.

Visitation for Liefer is set for 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Koch-Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud following a private memorial service.

 

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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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