Southwest Illinois woman suffers life-threatening injuries in three-car crash

A three-car crash Tuesday night resulted in life-threatening injuries for a metro-east woman.

Karen Blank, 52, of Coulterville, was traveling eastbound on Marissa Road, approaching the intersection with Illinois 153 in Washington County, according to Illinois State Police. She ran a stop sign, causing a three-car collision at approximately 9:35 p.m., police said.

Blank was airlifted to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to ISP. Her present condition is not known.

Bradley Schnitker, 27 from Hoyleton was traveling northbound on Illinois 153 in a semi tractor trailer. Thomas Welch, 82, and Charlyn Welch, 78, both of Sparta, were driving southbound in the same location. None of them were seriously injured in the crash.

Blank was cited for Failure to Yield at a Stop Intersection and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.