Illinois man arrested for OWI following two crashes

On Sunday just after 6 AM, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a HIT and RUN crash on Hwy 81 in Ellenboro Township. The victim notified the Sheriff’s Office that the offending vehicle, didn’t stop and fled the scene, traveling at a high rate of speed toward Lancaster. A sheriff’s deputy was in the area and located the suspect vehicle in the ditch and on fire, at the Roundabout on Hwy 35/61/81, in South Lancaster Township. The investigation determined, 22-year-old Brandon Phelps, 22 of Morris IL. was driving west on Hwy 81 and failed to slow down for the Roundabout. Phelps drove through the Roundabout, knocking down a light pole, before the vehicle came to rest in the west ditch and started on fire. Phelps was arrested for Hit and Run and for OWI 2nd offense. Phelps received citations for unreasonable and imprudent speed, following to close, and operating left of center. Phelps received minor injures in the crash and was treated then released from Grant Regional Health Center and booked into the Grant County Jail.