Six injured in three-vehicle accident on Highway 51

A three-car collision on U.S. Highway 51 near Arnold’s Market sent six people to the hospital and caused police to redirect traffic Friday.

Donald Mull, 60, of Anna, was traveling south on Highway 51 just before 5:30 p.m. when his car crossed the centerline and struck two northbound vehicles, said Sgt. Carson Bunton of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Mull, who was driving with his two grandchildren at the time of the accident, was cited for improper lane usage, according to a news release. Police said alcohol was not involved.

Police said Mull struck the vehicle of Eanis Poole, 64, of Tamms, causing the car to roll off the highway before colliding with a second car, driven by Natalie Miller, 24, of Anna. The impact to Miller’s car caused an engine fire, which was later extinguished by Makanda Township firefighters, Bunton said.

The three drivers were released from the hospital after treatment for serious injuries, a hospital representative said Sunday.

Miller, a special education teacher, said an unknown man rescued her from the burning vehicle before emergency crews arrived. The man, who is being hailed as a hero by the sheriff’s department, was riding a motorcycle south on Highway 51 at the time of the accident.

Miller said the man approached her vehicle after it was struck and asked if she was injured, then quickly pulled her out before the car was engulfed in flames.

Bunton said he did not see Miller’s rescuer, but saw the fire damage to her vehicle.

“By the time I got there the fire was pretty much out,” Bunton said. “I would say it was fully engulfed.”

Miller said she did not know her car was on fire until police cleared everyone away so firefighters could go to work.

She said she had never met the man before, but he identified himself as “Chaz.” Before he left the scene, Chaz offered Miller to use his cell phone to call her family and assure them she was safe, she said.

Miller said Chaz called her at home Sunday to ask how she was feeling after the accident.
“We don’t have caller ID on our phone,” she said. “I wanted to do more, but he was just really quick. He didn’t want anything else.”

Sgt. Dave Nichols of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said he hopes “Chaz” will identify himself to be acknowledged for his heroism.