CHESTER — The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a motorcycle crash on August 12, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m.
The initial report indicated that the accident had occurred two miles from the Baldwin power plant.
Deputies located the body of a deceased male subject, later identified as Christopher Barnes on County Road 18, two-thirds of a mile west of Gander Hollow Road, Sparta IL.
Preliminary findings of the accident scene indicate that Barnes had been involved in a hit and run accident.
It was also determined that Barnes was operating an electric motorized bicycle.
The cause and manner of death is pending toxicology and autopsy results.
After the discovery of evidence located on scene and a more in-depth investigation, the Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the vehicle involved in the accident as well as the alleged driver, a 41-year-old Sparta, Ill. man. At the time of this release, charges have not been filed due to the ongoing investigation.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and the Randolph Coroners Office are currently investigating the accident.