Pedestrian incident results in arrest

A crash involving a pedestrian in Pontiac has resulted in an arrest.

Pontiac Police and Fire units were notified Thursday morning that a pickup had struck a pedestrian in the 700 block of west Reynolds Street. Officers observed a 79-year-old man lying at the edge of his yard with a head injury. A 2004 Chevy pickup was discovered 50 feet away braced against a tree.

Both the injured person and the driver of the truck, Richard Williams of Pontiac, 27, were transported to OSF St. James Hospital and later flown to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria for further treatment.

The police investigation revealed the injured pedestrian and his wife were doing yard work near the street and for reasons not yet known, the truck left the road and struck the man in his yard, before continuing into several nearby trees. Police say the man’s wife narrowly avoided being struck and refused medical treatment.

Williams was charged with aggravated reckless driving and improper lane usage. Further charges are pending toxicology results.