On January 26, 2025 at 6:05 A.M., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a HIT and RUN crash on Hwy 81 in Ellenboro Township. The victim notified the Sheriff’s Office that the offending vehicle, a dark colored SUV, didn’t stop and fled the scene, traveling at a high rate of speed toward Lancaster (the victim was not injured in this crash).
A sheriff’s deputy was in the area and located the suspect vehicle in the ditch and on fire, at the Roundabout on Hwy 35/61/81, in South Lancaster Township. The investigation determined, Brandon Phelps, 22 of Morris IL. was driving west on Hwy 81, in his 2006 Lexus RX, and failed to slow down for the Roundabout. Mr. Phelps drove through the Roundabout, knocking down light pole, before the vehicle came to rest in the west ditch and started on fire.
Mr. Phelps was arrested for Hit and Run, attended vehicle and for OWI (2nd offense). Mr. Phelps received citations for unreasonable and imprudent speed, auto following to close, and operating left of center. Mr. Phelps received minor injures in the crash and was treated/released from Grant Regional Health Center and booked into the Grant County Jail. Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Lancaster, Police Department, Lancaster Fire Department, Lancaster EMS and Bennett’s Towing Service out of Lancaster.
This matter will be referred to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office for review.