Car hits island on Salem square, leading to oil spill and OWI charges

Photos by Nathaniel Smith, Editor-in-Chief

THE FOLLOWING IS TAKEN FROM A PRESS RELEASE BY THE CITY OF SALEM POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, officers with the Salem Police Department responded to a call at the south gate of the Salem Square regarding a vehicle that had struck a crosswalk concrete island.

Upon arrival, officers located a blue SUV leaking a significant amount of oil. The Salem Fire Department responded and worked to remove the spill.

The driver, identified as Johnathon Frazier of Pekin, was observed showing signs of impairment. After standard field sobriety testing, police say it was determined that Frazier was under the influence. He was transported to a local hospital for certified chemical.

Frazier was later taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Detention Center on the following charges:

• Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person – Prior, Level 6 Felony

• Operating While Intoxicated with a Controlled Substance, Level 6 Felony

• Operating While Intoxicated – Prior, Level 6 Felony

The Salem Police Department reminds the public that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.