WILLIAMSON COUNTY — Four people were injured Wednesday afternoon when a van slammed into the back of an ambulance on I-57 in rural Williamson County. 

Both drivers were injured, along with two passengers in the ambulance, including a 94-year-old patient.

Illinois State Police say just before 1 p.m., 28-year-old David N. Smithson of Turrell, Arkansas and 32-year-old Daniel C. Cork of St. Genevieve, Missouri were both going north in the right lane on I-57 at mile post 51 with Smithson traveling behind Corke.

Corke stopped because traffic was backed up due to a previous property damage only crash in the area. Smithson failed to slow down in his car and struck the back of the ambulance Corke was driving.

The roadway was shut down for 45 minutes so a medical helicopter could land. The left lane was then opened for traffic while the crash was investigated and the scene cleaned up.  All lanes were reopened at 2:45 p.m.

Smithson suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and then flown to a regional hospital. Corke suffered minor injuries was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

Corke had two passengers with him when the crash happened, including 39-year-old Charles W. Herman of Goreville who suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and 94-year-old Fred H. Moallankamp of Olmstead who was flown to a regional hospital via medical helicopter from the scene.

Smithson was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.