U.S. 51 detoured due to sinkhole

The Illinois Department of Transportation has closed both directions of U.S. 51 from the Illinois 149 and U.S. 51 intersection in DeSoto to the Illinois 14 and U.S. 51 intersection just south of Du Quoin due to the formation of a sinkhole in the road last week.

A posted detour is in place to direct U.S. 51 northbound traffic to eastbound Illinois 149, to northbound Illinois 184 and to westbound Illinois 14. U.S. 51 northbound traffic will continue on Illinois 14 to the U.S. 51/Illinois 14 junction.

U.S. 51 southbound traffic will follow the same route as U.S. 51 northbound. U.S. 51 southbound traffic will be detoured to eastbound Illinois 14, to Illinois 184 and to the Illinois 149 intersection. U.S. 51 southbound traffic will continue on westbound Illinois 149 to the junction of U.S. 51/Illinois 149.

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changing conditions and all detour signs prior to the work zone, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports that on Sunday evening, a 76-year-old Texas man, Melbourne Presswood, was injured after he crashed through barricades at the sinkhole and overturned his vehicle. Presswood was taken to a local hospital and charged with failure to reduce speed and DUI.