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Sunbury police describe vehicle incident that crossed into Galena; council to check trail bollards
Summary
Police reported an Aug. 11 incident in which a single driver drove across private property, damaged the Harrison Street school lawn and continued onto the bike trail toward Galena before crashing; no pedestrians were injured. Council asked police to follow up with Preservation Parks about removable bollards allowing vehicle access to the trail.
Sergeant Holden of the Sunbury Police Department told the council on Aug. 20 that an individual on Aug. 11 drove through properties on Harrison Street, damaged the Harrison Street School lawn and then drove onto the trail toward Galena, where the vehicle crashed. The driver was apprehended and sent for hospital evaluation; police reported no pedestrians were injured.
“We would like to announce that he was apprehended…no pedestrian was injured in that incident,” Sergeant Holden said in the meeting summary.
Council members asked how a vehicle could access the trail. Holden and other officials explained that a removable bollard at the trail entrance is sometimes removed for maintenance, which can allow vehicle access. Councilmembers said they will follow up with Preservation Parks to confirm whether bollards were removed and to request that removable access points be managed to prevent vehicle entry during regular use.
Police reported the crash caused “major damage on Harrison Street with one of the residents and the school front lawn” and some damage in Galena; officers said there was no reported damage to the bike trail itself. Sergeant Holden said the driver “appeared to be highly intoxicated” and that police provided residents with the police report and insurance information for property damage claims.
Councilmembers and staff said they want a bollard check at trail access points and suggested capital budget consideration for permanent barriers where appropriate. No formal ordinance or emergency action was taken; the council directed Sergeant Holden to follow up with Preservation Parks and report back.
