JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 16-year-old male driver, of Mayfiled, Kentucky, has received multiple citations in connection with a one-car crash Sunday on Interstate 57 that resulted in all four occupants being injured.

According to Illinois State Police, just after 2 p.m. Sunday, a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant was north bound on I-57 at mile post 105.

The 16-year-old male driver was distracted by his passengers, lost control of the vehicle and it exited the right side of the roadway striking the ditch embankment.

The vehicle rolled over and struck several trees coming to rest on its driver’s side against one of the trees.

Prior to law enforcement’s arrival, the 16-year-old male driver and a 16-year-old female passenger fled the scene on foot.

Jefferson County deputies arrived with a canine to assist with location of the passengers that fled. While ISP officers were investigating the crash, Jefferson County deputies located the two juveniles who had fled the scene on Illinois Route 37 near the Marion/Jefferson County line. They were both subsequently transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The canine alerted on the vehicle and officers found several drug items inside.

A 17-year-old male passenger, also of Mayfield, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.

A 17-year-old female passenger of Hazel, Kentucky, suffered major injuries. She had to be extricated from the vehicle and while initially transported by ambulance to a local hospital, was ultimately airlifted to a regional hospital for treatment.

I-57 northbound remained open during the crash investigation and scene clean up.  All juveniles’ parents were contacted and all were released to their parents except the 17-year-old female passenger who remains hospitalized.

The incident is pending review by the Jefferson County State’s Attorney.  However, the ISP has charged the 16-year-old male driver with operating an uninsured motor vehicle, no valid driver’s license, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, and failure to report a crash to law enforcement.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has charged the 17-year-old male passenger for the illicit items and they should be contacted for further information regarding those charges.  No additional information will be released regarding this incident by ISP at this time.