Belleville man charged in Swansea accident that killed woman, injured 3 others
A 23-year-old Belleville man was arrested Tuesday on charges of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in the May 2 death of a woman killed in a three-vehicle accident in Swansea, according to court records.
Jacob T. Hall of South 11th Street “drove a 2002 Ford Explorer on 2501 N. Illinois St., in Swansea while (he) was under the influence of alcohol,” according to the charging document filed by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
His actions resulted in the accident that led to the death of Karlie Langley, the charging document said.
Langley, 27, of East Street in Smithton, was pronounced deceased on the scene in the 2400 block of North Illinois Street, which is also known as Illinois 159, St. Clair Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said.
Langley was a passenger in Hall’s vehicle, police said.
Swansea police responded to the May 2 accident at 4:39 p.m. after receiving a call reporting a three-vehicle crash with entrapment, the department said in a news release
Three others were injured in the crash, including a man who was airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital. The other two victims were taken to local hospitals by private vehicle.
The names and conditions of these three victims were not released.
An attorney for Hall is not listed in St. Clair Count court records. Swansea police detectives arrested Hall. He is being held in the St. Clair County Jail, Swansea police said on their Facebook page.
According to the charging document, Hall was under the influence of alcohol and “acting in a reckless manner, performed acts likely to cause the death of or great bodily harm to some individuals.”
The document states that he drove his Explorer north on North Illinois Street and “swerved through traffic at a high rate of speed, thereby causing (Karlie) Langley’s death.”
After Hall’s arrest Tuesday, the police department stated on its Facebook page that it “would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this complex investigation: the Swansea Fire Department, Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team, St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Circuit Attorney of the City of St. Louis.”
Karlie Langley grew up in Swansea. She lived in Smithton and worked in Fairview Heights at the time of her death. She was the mother of a 3-year-old boy, Ryett Benedick.
Katie Langley told the BND last month her older sister’s “heart belonged to her precious son, Ryett, who brought her immeasurable joy and purpose. As a devoted mother, she poured her love and devotion into nurturing and guiding Ryett, ensuring he felt cherished and loved every moment of his young life.”
This story was originally published June 25, 2024 at 8:44 PM.