Two injured in Ellis Grove accident
<span>The Randolph County Sheriff's Office has released more information on Wednesday's car versus tractor accident on Route 3 south of the Ellis Grove village limits.</span>
<span>According to the sheriff's office accident report - and previously reported by the Herald Tribune - 47-year-old Ellis Grove resident James Penford was driving a 1966 John Deere 4020 farm tractor pulling a homemade trailer north in the 5300 block of Route 3 when he was rear-ended by a northbound 2014 Kia sedan.</span>
<span>The sedan was driven by 42-year-old Kimberly R. Barnes, with her 18-year-old daughter, Cassidy Barnes, as a passenger.</span>
<span>The elder Barnes was taken by MedStar Ambulance to Chester Memorial Hospital, while her daughter was transported to St. Louis University Hospital.</span>
<span>Penford, who said he was not injured at the scene, told the Herald Tribune he was heading to Ellis Grove for some firewood when he crested a hill, looked back and didn't see anybody.</span>
<span>"Before I could turn around again, she hit me," Penford said, adding that he was amazed that he was able to stay in the tractor's seat after impact. "She hit me hard."</span>
<span>The accident report states that a witness told law enforcement that the Kia was traveling at "highway speeds" when the accident occurred and that "he did not see Unit No. 1 (Kia) slow down before striking Unit No. 2 (tractor)."</span>
<span>Penford told law enforcement he estimated the Kia was traveling between 50 and 55 mph upon impact, which spun the Kia into the southbound ditch facing southwest.</span>
<span>He later told the newspaper he had the tractor's headlights and hazard lights activated prior to the collision. Penford was later cited for "failure to display slow moving vehicle emblem."</span>
<span>Barnes was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.</span>
<span>The accident was reported at 9:57 a.m., with Deputy Shane Rinehart responding. The Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department performed extrication of the Kia's occupants, with the Chester Fire Department assisting.</span>