July 13, 2011, 11:08 P.M.  A wrong way driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lane of Interstate 74 near mile marker 35 was reported to are Law Enforcement agencies.

Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Keith King responded to the area in an attempt to locate the wrong way driver.  Deputy King was near mile marker 41.5 when a vehicle traveling ahead of him quickly changed lanes to avoid the wrong way driver.  The wrong way driver immediately struck Deputy King's patrol vehicle head on.  The wrong way driver, Benjamin A. Davila, was driving a 2009 Mini Cooper hatchback.

Both Deputy King and Davila were transported to St. Mary's Medical Center in Galesburg and then transfered to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  Deputy King's injuries are non-life threatening.  Information on Davila's injuries and condition are not known at this time.

The crash is being investigated by the Illinois State Police.

Department Contact:
Captain Dave Caslin
(309) 345-3734