Car crashes into Lighthouse

In the most ideal situation, a lighthouse is supposed to alert oncoming boats of the presence of land so as not to cause an accident.

Employees at Lighthouse Automotive, 100 E. Jackson, might argue the same does not work for automobiles — especially in daylight.

After an accident July 9 that resulted in two injuries, one employee at Lighthouse Automotive is counting his blessings — after removing pieces of glass from his hair.

According to a Morton police report, Kira A. Dralle, 22, of 100 Grant, was driving eastbound on Jackson Street as she approached the four-way stop near Main.

As she progressed in the left lane toward the four-way stop, Dralle said she looked away from the road temporarily and upon refocusing on what was ahead, she noticed the vehicle in front of her was stopped.

Dralle told police she could not stop in time and collided with the rear of Shannon L. Killian, 34, of 416 N. Third. Dralle then caromed off Killian’s vehicle into the right lane on Jackson Street, forcing the driver of a third vehicle, Amanda M. Crusen, 25, of 39 Sheila, into the side of Lighthouse Automotive. The impact of the crash loosened bricks and shattered glass  in the sales office at the car dealership.

Dralle’s vehicle came to a stop once it hit a utility pole between Lighthouse Automotive and the BP gas station on Jackson Street.

Both Dralle and a passenger in her car were transported to Methodist Medical Center by Morton paramedics. Crusen was transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center by Morton paramedics as well.

Killian, who also had a passenger, did not report any injuries at the scene.

Rod Hostetler, sales and leasing consultant at Lighthouse Automotive, said he and others at work discussed the possibility of a vehicle crashing through the windows someday.

Keith Grimm, also a sales and leasing associate at the dealership, said he could not believe that possibility became a reality after the June 9 incident.

“We thought it would happen someday,” Grimm said.

Hostetler said he was very fortunate during the ordeal.

“I feel blessed the good Lord was looking out for me,” he said.

Hostetler said he was not planning on working that day.

“You go to work and anticipate your daily routine,” he said. “You never know what could happen to you.”

Hostetler re-enacted his reaction when the car crashed through the window.

“It was like slow motion,” he said.

He was working on his computer facing west with the windows on his right side.

Hostetler said he heard tires squeal, but before he could react a vehicle had already smashed the window next to him.

He then jumped away from the window, in shock, he added.

Hostetler had glass and other debris in his hair after the accident.

“It could have been a lot worse,” he said.

Employees at Lighthouse Automotive called for emergency assistance and immediately exited their offices to check on those involved in the wreck.

“We’re thankful nobody was permanently hurt,” Bart Rinkenberger, general manager at the dealership, said. He thanked Morton paramedics for their efforts.

Rinkenberger said the damages will be fixed within a month and the business plans to give the front a different look.

Conditions of each driver were unavailable.

It was the second time in less than three weeks that a vehicle collided with business property along Jackson Street.

On May 26, an underage drunk driver crashed through the fences at Libby’s early in the morning, completely crushing a bush and destroying a portion of the fence.