MARION COUNTY — A  three-vehicle crash Sunday on Interstate 57 approximately 7-miles north of Salem sent four people, including two children, to Salem Township Hospital for treatment of injuries.

According to Illinois State Police, an SUV driven by 53-year-old Micheal Medina, of Brookfield, struck a deer in the middle of the roadway. A car driven by 30-year-old Jill Edwards, of Braidwood, did stop in time to avoid striking the rear of the Medina vehicle but was unable to avoid striking the deer.

A car driven by 30-year-old Jill Edwards, of Braidwood, did stop in time to avoid striking the rear of the Medina vehicle but was unable to avoid striking the deer.

The third vehicle, an SUV driven by 32-year-old Cindy Rae Hamilton, of Effingham, was unable to stop and struck the rear of the Edwards car.

Medina and his passengers which included an 11-year-old and a 5-year-old as well as 51-year-old Tina Fonck, all of Braidwood were transported by ambulance to Salem Township Hospital for treatment.

A 3-year-old passenger in the Hamilton vehicle, Kristi Duckwitz, of Effingham, was also transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital for treatment.

Charges are pending as the accident is still under investigation.