WASHINGTON COUNTY — An 83-year-old Sesser man was injured in a crash Tuesday night on Interstate 64 in Washington County.

According to the Illinois State Police, around 10:38 p.m. Tuesday, Edward C. Verner was traveling eastbound on I-64 near milepost 57 when a 2011 Chevy Impala driven by 21-year-old Morgan A. Gibson, of Glen Carbon rapidly approached his 2006 Dodge Caravan from behind.

Accident reports say Gibson’s Impala struck the rear of Verner’s Caravan, causing the van to go off the roadway to the right, through the interstate fence and come to rest in a field.

The Impala left the roadway to the left, traveled through the median, and came to rest in the westbound lanes before it caught fire. The car was completely damaged by fire.

Verner was taken from the scene by ambulance to the Washington County Hospital for treatment of injuries. Gibson was uninjured. He was cited for failure to reduce speed and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Interstate 64 westbound was completely closed for approximately 45 minutes  The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Nashville Fire Department, Washington County EMS, Rend Lake Towing and Precision Towing assisted ISP at the crash scene.