09:26 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Watch Craig Cheatham’s report

More photos of the crash

KMOV

William Anderson

(KMOV) --A driver is now charged with reckless homicide in the death of a police officer from Cahokia.

Investigators say William Anderson, 37, was drunk when his truck crossed the centerline on Illinois Route 3 just after 2 a.m. Monday and slammed head on into the patrol car driven by officer Jeremy Chambers. The impact of the crash caused the patrol car to flip and land in a ditch.

Illinois State Police Lieutenant Greg Fernandez says Anderson is charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless homicide. Anderson remains hospitalized. His bond is set at $150,000.

Officer Chambers, 26, died at a St. Louis hospital. Chambers, who had been on the force about a 2 1/2 years, suffered fatal head and chest injuries.

Police say Anderson and his passenger, a 36-year-old female cousin, suffered non life-threatening injuries.

Officer Chambers is the son of the former assistant Cahokia police chief and was engaged to be married.

KMOV

Jeremy Chambers

Chambers is the first Cahokia police officer to die in the line of duty in the village's 79-year history.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Chambers.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 26^th at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Cahokia.  Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow at the Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville.

Memorials may be made to the Jeremy Chambers Memorial Fund, C/O Regions Bank in Cahokia.