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Last updated on Wednesday, July 13, 2016
(SPRINGVILLE) - A Bethany, Illinois man was arrested after he crashed his vehicle on Springville Judah Road Sunday damaging Bridge 113.
According to a Lawrence County Police report, officers arrested the driver, 47-year-old David Emerick, on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Police say Emerick was traveling south on Springville Judah Road and rounding the curve when he drove his 2004 GM Yukon off the west side of the road for 91 feet, struck the bridge abutment and guard rail that crossed Spring Creek.
The vehicle then went over the edge of the bridge and overturned landing on its top in the creek.
Emerick told police he was looking at his GPS when he lost control of the vehicle.
Emerick, who suffered minor bleeding to his head, was standing in the roadway when an IU Health ambulance and Perry Volunteer Fire Department first responders and police arrived on the scene.
Emerick, who smelled of alcohol, refused medical attention or to go to the hospital. He also refused to perform a chemical test for alcohol.
Police obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. Those results are pending.
Emerick was arrested.
The County Highway Department was contacted about the damage to the bridge and guardrail. A bridge inspector ordered the bridge to be closed because the accident had knocked out a supporting pier under the bridge and caused other major damage. It is unknown when the bridge will reopen.
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