HARRISBURG, Ill. (WSIL) -- A Ridgway man was back in court on Friday, October 10, in connection to a deadly crash case out of Saline County from early August.

Jacob Ahrens, 21 of Ridgway, faces two counts of aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs involving death and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence involving personal injury, following an investigation by the Illinois State Police.

On August 8, 2025, Illinois State Police troopers responded to a crash on IL-34 near Galatia.

State police said a Chevrolet Silverado, traveling southbound, left the roadway and entered a ditch. The driver and one passenger were airlifted to a regional hospital with injuries.

Mattix T. Sandifer, 20, of Ridgway, Ill., was pronounced dead at the scene.

Online court re

See Full Page