Local News

Man Charged with DUI in Valentine's Day Crash

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 06:50:02 CST

A Madison man was injured in an automobile crash February 14, on Interstate 55 south of Raymond.

According to the state police, Erwin Watson, 47, was driving a vehicle north on the interstate just south of milepost 63 when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle struck the rear end of a semi-trailer that was driving in front of him. Watson lost control of his vehicle and the SUV rolled multiple times before coming to a rest on its roof in the center median.

Watson was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield and was listed in stable condition. The incident occurred at 1:43 p.m. The southbound lanes had to be shut down for approximately two hours in order for the scene to be cleared.

Watson was charged with Improper Lane Usage, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Driving with a Suspended License. The incident remains under investigation by the state police. The Raymond-Nokomis Ambulance Service assisted at the scene.