Ballwin Man 'Critical' Following Sunday Collision

Ballwin resident Egbert D. Hepler was listed in critical condition early evening Monday after a motorcycle collision Sunday injured Egbert and a passenger.

Hepler, 64, was taken to St. Louis University Hospital following the collision, which occurred around 1 p.m. Sunday in the 7000 block of Illinois Route 140 in Madison County.

The motorcycle, which was driven by Hepler traveling with passenger Susan L. Wallace, 59, of Galesburg, IL, was heading east on Route 140. A pickup truck driven by Wood River, IL resident Jennifer M. Yates, 61, was travelling west on Route 140 when it made a left turn in front of Hepler's motorcycle into a private residence. The motorcycle, a 2008 Harley Davidson, struck the passenger-side door of the pickup truck, ejecting both motorcycle riders, both of whom were wearing helmets.

Hepler was flown by Arch Helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition as of 5 p.m. Monday. Wallace, who police said was seriously injured, was transported by ambulance to Alton Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. A nurse at Barnes-Jewish said Wallace remained in serious condition late Monday.

Illinois State Police said Yates, the pickup truck driver, was not injured in the collision. Passengers in the pickup truck Keith D. Duff, 44, of Roxanna, IL and a 9-year-old girl from Roxana also were not injured. All three were wearing seatbelts.