Sparta woman injured in head-on crash

<span>A 27-year-old Sparta woman was injured in a head-on crash on Route 154 at Woodcox Road west of Sparta on Saturday evening.</span>

<span>According to the Illinois State Police's crash report, 25-year-old Jessica Wagner was driving westbound on Route 154 in a 2014 Nissan pickup when a vehicle in front of her slowed due to heavy rain.</span>

<span>In attempting to slow down, Wagner (of Smithton) hydroplaned on the wet pavement, lost control of the vehicle and skidded into the eastbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2012 black Dodge Avenger driven by Natasha Richardson, of Sparta.</span>

<span>Both vehicles sustained major damage and had to be towed from the scene. Richardson was taken to Sparta Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.</span>

<span>Wagner was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.</span>

<span>The accident was reported at 7:52 p.m. by Meteorologist Tony Laubach, who was chasing a severe storm approaching Sparta.</span>