Latest news with #BrandonSaunders
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mattoon Police Dept. issues 105 distracted driving citations during April enforcement
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month and on Wednesday, the Mattoon Police Department announced the results of its enforcement campaign for that month. In a news release on Facebook, department officials said 105 citations were issued to people who violated hands-free laws. In addition, officers issued 12 citations for other offenses, 16 for speeding and made three arrests — one for a suspended or revoked license and two for unspecified felonies. Third person arrested for illegal gun possession in Danville over weekend 'Driver distraction is a persistent issue in Mattoon that often has life-altering consequences,' Captain Brandon Saunders said. 'Issuing a citation is a proven way to get motorists to pay attention or pay the price. Distracted Driving Awareness Month may be over, but we will continue our efforts to stop motorists from engaging in this deadly behavior.' The Mattoon Police Department joined forces during this enforcement effort with the Illinois State Police, other local law enforcement and highway safety partners. It was funded with federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mattoon Police Department increasing distracted driving enforcement efforts
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Mattoon Police Department is teaming up with more than 200 local law enforcement agencies to increase enforcement efforts for Distracted Driving Awareness Month. These Illinois police departments are partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police throughout April. Drivers should expect an increase in patrols aimed at looking for texting and driving as well as other traffic violations. 7 Mattoon businesses fail tobacco sale compliance check 'Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes on our roads today,' said Captain Brandon Saunders. 'During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, law enforcement will boost enforcement efforts, stopping anyone we see texting and driving. We do this to save lives.' Approximately 32,000 lives were lost in crashes involving distracted drivers between 2012 and 2021. According to Mattoon Police, those between the ages of 16 and 24 are especially at risk. They are also urging anyone who needs to send a text message to pull over to a safe location, or if they have a passenger, they should consider appointing them as a 'designated texter.' Mattoon Police said there is never a good enough excuse to text while driving. Throughout the state, using a phone in anything other than hands-free mode is both dangerous and illegal. This Illinois distracted driving campaign is being funded with federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
IL police boost patrols to reduce distracted driving
MATTOON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, April, Illinois law enforcement agencies will increase patrols looking for texting and driving as well as other traffic violations. In a press release, the Mattoon Police Department said its department, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and 200 local law enforcement agencies will partner together to step up enforcement efforts to stop distracted driving across the state. Study: Safety systems induce distracted driving 'Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes on our roads today,' said Captain Brandon Saunders. 'During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, law enforcement agencies will boost enforcement efforts, stopping anyone we see texting and driving.' The Mattoon Police Department said approximately 32,000 lives were lost in crashes involving distracted drivers, between 2012 and 2021. Even though everyone has the potential to be involved in a distracted driving crash, the department said those between the ages of 16 and 24 are especially at risk. In Illinois, using your phone in anything other than a hands-free mode is dangerous, but also illegal. That is why the department says if you need to text, pull over to a safe location or if you have a passenger, consider making them a designated texter. Is this how to stop people from texting while driving? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Multiple arrested, cited by Mattoon PD during St. Patrick's Day enforcement
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Mattoon Police Department is releasing the results of their St. Patrick's Day DUI enforcement. The department said they made two DUI arrests and issued one seat belt citation during the holiday. They also issued five speeding tickets, 29 other citations and removed fentanyl and methamphetamine from the streets. There were three felony arrests, and two people were arrested for driving without a license. Coles Wind makes their case for a county wind farm 'We strongly enforce traffic laws for one reason — to save lives,' said Captain Brandon Saunders. The Mattoon Police Department teamed up with the Illinois State Police, other local law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners for the St. Patrick's Day enforcement campaign. It was paid for by federal highway safety funds, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bettendorf man arrested after police say he entered warehouse; co-defendant injured
A 40-year-old Bettendorf man was in custody Sunday after Bettendorf Police say he and a co-defendant entered Alter Warehouse in Bettendorf, where the co-defendant was severely injured, according to Scott County Court records. Brandon Saunders faces a felony charge of second-degree burglary and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of possession of burglary tools, Scott County Court records show. At 12:20 a.m. Sunday on the 100 block of 23rd Street, Bettendof Police were dispatched for a report of a person possibly injured, according to arrest affidavits filed in Scott County Court. Saunders called from a Grant Street address and 'gave an initial statement that a friend, who is a co-defendant in this case, of his called him stating he was injured somewhere.' affidavits show. Saunders gave conflicting statements on the location and how he knew the co-defendant was injured, then, affidavits say, 'finally admitted he was with the co-defendant when he was injured and gave the location of the Alter Warehouse.' Saunders and an officer then went to the location and Saunders pointed to a large hole in the warehouse, saying he and the co-defendant went into the building there, according to affidavits. Officers searched the warehouse and found the co-defendant with severe injuries, affidavits show. Fire and EMS responders were called to the scene. The co-defendant said he and Saunders went into the warehouse and the co-defendant fell about 30 feet, affidavits say. Saunders then removed the co-defendant's vehicle keys from his person, 'fled the scene and left the co-defendant for approximately two hours,' according to the co-defendant. After he was read his Miranda Rights, Saunders admitted to entering the warehouse with the co-defendant, according to affidavits. Saunders said he heard the co-defendant fall and found him injured, took the keys off the co-defendant and left the scene. Affidavits show Saunders said he had a cell phone on him and admitted it was working, but 'did not call 911 immediately because he knew police would arrive.' 'The Alter Warehouse is a facility closed to the public that (Saunders) had no right to be in,' affidavits show. Saunders admitted to making entry into the warehouse and 'leaving the co-defendant even though (Saunders) knew he was severely injured.' Saunders said the two went into the warehouse to look for copper, according to affidavits. Affidavits say that In the vehicle Saunders was driving when he called officers were 'multiple tools that can be used to commit burglary.' The co-defendant was transported to the MercyOne Genesis Davenport Medical Center emergency department and then flown by MedForce 'to a higher level of trauma care,' according to affidavits. Saunders, who was being held Sunday on $10,000 bond in Scott County Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 18 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
