Galesburg Man Charged with DUI after Striking Four Utility Poles

WHAT:                      Single Commercial Motor Vehicle DUI Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 164 eastbound just west of Knox County line, Galesburg, Warren County.

WHEN:                      April 28, 2021 at 12:45 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1 – Black 2019 Kenworth Truck tractor semi-trailer

DRIVER:                   Unit 1 – John M. Burkhalter, a 65-year-old male from Galesburg, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on IL Route 164 between 170^th and 180^th Street. The driver of Unit 1 lost control, left the roadway and struck four utility poles. Unit 1 continued into Galesburg where it was stopped by officers from Galesburg Police Department.  ISP District 14 Troopers arrived and lead the traffic crash investigation.  The driver of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was charged with DUI, and issued citations for Illegal Transportation of Alcohol, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, Improper Lane Usage and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

***Report Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***