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Two Ill. men killed fighting in roadway
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DARLINGTON - Two men were killed as the result of an accident at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 78 near the Wisconsin/Illinois border, according to a statement from the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department.

Avari D. Baker, 27, and Leonard L. Harris, 32, both of Freeport, Ill., were killed while fighting with each other in the roadway.

A preliminary investigation indicates two men were passengers in a vehicle driving south on Highway 78. An argument occurred, and the driver of the vehicle, Sharon L. Andrews, 32, Darlington, stopped near the state line.

Baker and Harris then exited the vehicle and started fighting on the roadway.

After the fight broke out, they were struck by an automobile being driven north on the highway. The two were not readily visible, because they were lying in the north bound lane while fighting.

Both men sustained serious injuries, and pronounced dead at the scene by Lafayette County Coroner Virginia Douglas.

The driver of the northbound car, Carrie A. Thompson, 33, Monroe, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Two children in the Thompson vehicle were not injured.

Andrews was cited by Lafayette County deputies for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants.

These are the fourth and fifth traffic deaths in Lafayette County this year.