Thebes man dies in accident

THEBES, Ill. -- A Thebes man was fatally injured in a three-vehicle accident on Route 3 south of Gale, Ill., Monday.

Illinois State Police identified the victim as Keith D. McHarry, 35, who was driving a pickup truck that was struck by a car driven by Greg Johnson, 22, of Mounds, Ill.

Police reported that the car driven by Johnson crossed the center line of Route 3 and struck the pickup head-on. Following the initial impact, the McHarry truck was struck by a third vehicle driven by Christy Dowdy, 27, of Olive Branch, Ill. Dowdy was taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Alexander County coroner David Barkett pronounced McHarry dead at the scene.

The accident closed the highway for about four hours. Johnson had to be extricated from his car.

Johnson, who was traveling north, and a passenger in the car, Richard Steele, 23, of Mounds, were also taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Johnson was ticketed for wrong-lane usage and driving without a valid driver's license, police said.