A 59-year-old Salem man was found dead early Sunday morning in his car parked at a local tavern. 

Police confirmed no foul play was suspected. 

According to Washington County Coroner Peggy Schell, Harold Lee Hopkins Jr, 59, Salem was discovered just before 9a Sunday morning. 

See Obituary Here

Officers from the Salem Police Department were called to Luke’s Tavern, on Salem’s West Side at 8:55a. Washington County EMS was also called out. 

On the way, officers were advised Hopkins was dead and asked to call Schell to the scene.

Once Schell arrived, she proceeded with her investigation and took possession of the body. 

Witnesses said Hopkins had been drinking in the tavern and had been asked to go to his vehicle and rest. 

“He had his keys with him and he was in the back seat of his blue Suburu,” said Schell. “He had laid down in the back to rest.”

Schell said Hopkins Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was not known and the reports are pending. She also did not release a cause of death, pending further results. 

Over 40 children were entered in the 2017 Pekin 4th of July Baby Contest that was held Sunday afternoon in the Pekin Park. 

Here are the winners

0-3 months: Girls

• 1 st – Olivia Smith
• 2 nd – Emery Elaine Brook

0-3 months: Boys

• 1 st – Tristan Hand
• 2 nd – Zakkariah Savage

4-6 months: Girls

• 1 st – Nova Palmer
• 2 nd – Annsleigh Mullins

4-6 months: Boys

• 1 st – Nash Hensley

7-9 months: Girls

• 1 st – Oakley Smith
• 2 nd – Clara Prall

7-9 months: Boys

• 1 st – Jacob Jackson
• 2 nd – Brantley Monroe

10-12 months: Girls

• 1 st – Kayzee Lewis
• 2 nd – Murphy Payne

10-12 months: Boys

• 1 st – Alyster Brant

13-18 months: Girls

• 1 st – Sandra Sparrow
• 2 nd – Kaidynce Arnold

13-18 months: Boys

• 1 st – Blain Garriott
• 2 nd – Blake Smith

19-24 months: Girls

• 1 st – Aujannae Cope
• 2 nd – Gracey Bennett

19-24 months: Boys

• 1 st – Lucas Farler

25-30 months: Girls

• 1 st – Emryne Bowling
• 2 nd – Harper Churchman

25-30 months: Boys

• 1 st – Canaan Whittaker
• 2 nd – Cameron Bierly

31-36 months: Girls

• 1 st – Mackenzie Hoke
• 2 nd –Leia Wolf

31-36 month: Boys

• 1 st – Abel Davis

A Illinois man and his passenger were both arrested after troopers arrived to conduct a crash investigation.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Corey Adam revealed at approximately 6:00 p.m., Saturday, July 1st, he responded to a crash on I-65 south bound at the 260 mile marker (near 15th Ave).  Trooper Corey saw a 2004 Dodge Stratus blocking the left lane, it was missing a left front tire and the left rear tire was bent out sideways.

During the course of the investigation the driver, Tracey Watson, 28 of Illinois, was found to be impaired.  He was taken to South Lake Methodist hospital for a blood draw and was incarcerated at Lake County Jail in Crown Point for Operating While Intoxicated.

His passenger, Donsha or Donshay Ambrose, 22 of Chicago, Illinois, was found to be wanted on a warrant through Cook County, Illinois for a Probation Violation.  She was uncooperative   Ambrose refused to obey verbal instructions, pulled away when being handcuffed, tucked her arms so you couldn’t get to them.  Ambrose after being handcuffed and secured in Adam’s police car kept taking her seat belt off, kept trying to get her handcuffed hands in front of her, and at one point tried to get into the driver’s seat.  She also attempted to hide a lighter down the front of her pants.

Ambrose also on the way to Lake County Jail made disparaging statements to Adam and had to be assisted out of Adam’s police car by jail personnel when she began to hit her head against the police car’s window.

Ambrose was arrested for Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Intimidation.

Assisting: Troopers Nicole Maenza and Kim Zelnis

I do not have a photo one may be obtained by calling the Lake County Jail

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

Salem Police say there is no foul play suspected after a body was found inside a vehicle near Luke’s Tavern, on Salem’s West Side early Sunday morning. 

Officers were dispatched to the area of Luke’s Tavern at 8:55a Sunday morning along with Washington County EMS. 

According to SPD Officer Nigel Smith, while enroute, officers were advised the callers believed the subject was dead. 

Upon arrival, Washington County EMS advised Washington County Coroner Peg Schell to be called. 

Once Schell arrived on scene, she proceeded with her investigation and took possession of the body. 

Smith said police believe no foul play was involved. 

Additional information with the name of the subject will be released at a later time, said Smith.