Crash Claims Lives of Two Men – Pepsi Employee, Correctional Worker Killed on Interstate 57

Neither of the two men killed in a three-vehicle crash early Tuesday on Interstate 57 near Effingham, was wearing a seat belt, state police said.

Those who died were Cecil E. “Eddie” Haynes, 30 of Ullin, a correctional officer at the Tri-County Detention Center in Ullin and Nicholas C. “Nick” Ratcliffe, 24, of Altamont, formerly of Olney, who worked in Effingham for Pepsi MidAmerica, which has its headquarters in Marion.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, Effingham County Coroner, Leigh Hammer said.

Hazardous road conditions were a factor in the crash, Hammer added.

The driver of the 2001 Dodge Ram passenger van, northbound on I-57, in which Haynes was a passenger, was injured and taken to St. Anthony Memorial Hospital. State Police District 12 in Effingham posted details of the crash Wednesday on its media line; it was among dozens that were reported on the icy roads.

Police said Ratcliffe was driving a Pepsi semitrailer southbound on 57 when he crossed the median and collided head-on with the northbound Dodge van. A semitrailer driven by Stephen Kubacki, 47 of Whiting, Ind, then hit the van, police said. Kubacki was also taken to the Effingham Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) – Thursday, December 25, 2008

Nicholas "Nick" Ratcliffe Hinderliter, 24, of Altamont died Tuesday December 23, 2008 in Effingham County.  Funeral services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home with Rev. Nate Hagen officiating. Burial in Bailey Cemetery in Latona.

Mr. Hinderliter was born on October 27, 1984 in Olney, the son of Doug and Shirley Hinderliter. He married Betty Wetherholt on September 13, 2008. She survives.

He was a truck driver for Pepsi-Cola.

Mr. Hinderliter is survived by his wife, Betty Ratcliffe of Altamont; parents, Shirley Hinderliter of Olney and Doug Hinderliter of Waltonville; father and mother-in-law, Tom Wetherholt and his wife, Lisa of Wheeler; maternal grandparents, Judy Weir of Olney and Ted Ratcliffe of Olney; paternal grandparents, Don and Shirley Hinderliter of Olney; brother, Ryan Hinderliter and his wife, Trish of Olney; sister, Angie Hinderliter of Lexington, Ky.; brother, Jordan Hinderliter of Olney; brother, Jody Hinderliter of Olney; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Published in Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) - Saturday, December 27, 2008