Investigation ongoing after fatal UTV crash in Jackson Co.

JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – A man faces charges after a fatal UTV crash Saturday evening in southern Illinois.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred just before midnight Oct. 26 in the area of Front Street and 25th Avenue along the causeway in Grand Tower, Illinois.

Initial investigation revealed that the UTV, with four people on it, overturned while crossing a flood embankment.

One of the passengers, Sara N. Bolter, 38, of Murphysboro, died at the scene.

Another passenger, Nicholas A. Bastien, 31, of Murphysboro, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. A third passenger, Kayle L. Clover, 29, of Gorham, reported no injuries.

The vehicle that overturned was driven by Rusty W. Huffman, 36, also of Gorham. He also had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment.

However, after he was released from the hospital, the sheriff’s office said Huffman was booked into the Jackson Co. Jail. in connection with complaints filed by the State’s Attorney of Jackson Co. for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and failure to stop at the scene of an accident that resulted in bodily injury.

The investigation is being conducted by the Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team.