Driver arrested after crashing into vehicle, driving into Cedar Lake in Carbondale
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A man was arrested after driving a vehicle into Cedar Lake following a crash Tuesday night, according to the Carbondale Police Department.
Officers responded around 8:21 p.m. March 10 to the Cedar Lake Boat Ramp for a report of a traffic crash.
Police said Matthew H. Burrows, 48, of Ankeny, Iowa, struck another vehicle at the boat ramp and then attempted to leave the scene. Authorities said Burrows continued driving down the ramp and into the lake.
A passenger from the vehicle that was struck entered the water and pulled Burrows to safety, police said.
Burrows was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries before being arrested.
He is charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Police said Burrows also had multiple active arrest warrants from Iowa.
He was later taken to the Jackson County Jail.
Initial efforts to locate the submerged vehicle were unsuccessful, but authorities said it was recovered the morning of March 12.
Investigators said there is no indication anyone else was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, and witnesses reported Burrows was the lone occupant.
The Carbondale Fire Department, Cedar Lake staff and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation and recovery.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carbondale Police Department at 618-549-2121 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
