Driver charged with seven felonies in Christmas Eve car crash; not yet arrested – Herald Publications

Below is a report released by the Mascoutah Police Department, which will be updated as new information comes in: On December 24, 2023, at approximately 3:51 p.m., Mascoutah Police were called to a two-vehicle crash on Illinois State Route 4 at Fuesser Road. Officers arrived a short time later to find a black GMC Terrain collided head-on with a black Honda CRV in the southbound lane of State Route 4. Mascoutah Police, Mascoutah EMS and Fire Departments, and New Baden EMS rendered aid to the occupants of both vehicles.

The three occupants of the Honda CRV were identified as Carole Meekins, Janice Meekins and Pamela Meekins. Pamela was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital and then flown by helicopter to Barnes Jewish Hospital by Arch Medevac, where she succumbed to her injuries. Janice suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to St. Elizabeth's by Medstar. Carole also suffered injuries in the accident and was flown to St. Elizabeth's by Medstar.

The driver and sole occupant of the black GMC Terrain was identified as Cale H. Dees Jr. Dees was transported to St. Louis Hospital by New Baden EMS.

The Mascoutah Police Department, with assistance from the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit, conducted an investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, it was determined that Cale H. Dees Jr. swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a collision with a stopped vehicle that was about to turn west onto Fuesser. The case was forwarded to the St. Clair County District Attorney's Office for consideration of charges.

After reviewing the case, the St. Clair County District Attorney's Office filed the following charges against Cale H. Dees, Jr.:

• Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Death (Class 2 Felony)
• Negligent Homicide (Class 3 Felony)
• Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Graveling Bodily Injury (Class 4 Felony)
• Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Graveling Bodily Injury (Class 4 Felony)
• Aggravated Reckless Driving (Class 4 Felony)
• Influence/Graveling Bodily Injury (Class 4 Felony)
• Aggravated Reckless Driving (Class 4 Felony)

Cale H. Dees, Jr. has not yet been apprehended and is considered a fugitive. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cale H. Dees, Jr. is asked to call the Mascoutah Police Department.

The Mascoutah Police Department would like to thank all agencies that assisted in this investigation:

Mascoutah EMS

Mascoutah Fire Department

Lebanon Police Department

Arch Medivac

New Baden EMS

Illinois State Police

Illinois State Police Traffic Reconstruction Specialist

Illinois State Police Forensic Crime Laboratory

St. Clair County Sheriff's Department

St. Clair County Coroner's Office

Medstar

St. Clair County District Attorney's Office

The Mascoutah Police Department would also like to extend its condolences to the Meekins family. As always, remember to drive sober and do not text while driving.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.