Rockford Resident Dies After Two-Car Crash in NW Kane County, Area's 2nd Fatal Crash in Two Days

A 20-year-old Rockford man died Saturday evening after a two-car crash in northwest Kane County, the Sheriff's Office reported Sunday evening.

Jerry Crosby died as a back-seat passenger in a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. The Pontiac struck a 2010 Ford Edge on Route 72 about a half-mile west of Walker Road in unincorporated Hampshire Township. Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene at about 9:10 p.m. Saturday, according to a press release.

The Pontiac was traveling east on Route 72 and began to pass a semi that was also traveling east on Route 72, according to early investigation findings. The Pontiac struck the Ford, which was traveling west on Route 72, while attempting to pass the semi.

Crosby was transported from the scene to St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, where he was pronounced dead. No one else involved in the crash was transported to the hospital, according to the press release.

It does not appear that drugs or alcohol played a role in this crash, the Kane County Sheriff's Office said in the press release.

This is the second fatal crash over a roughly 40-hour period in northwest Kane County. A 31-year-old Hampshire man was pronounced dead at the scene of a rollover crash early Friday morning, according to the Sheriff's Office. The Friday crash remains under investigation.

The Pontiac in Saturday's crash had a driver and three passengers, including Crosby. Lawan Allen, 20, of Overdene Avenue in Rockford was the driver of the Pontiac. Allen was issued three tickets for the following:

• Improper passing
• Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident
• Improper lane usage

Joanne Einwich, 60, of the 49W400 block of Hampshire, was the driver and sole occupant of the Ford that was hit. She was uninjured and was not issued any tickets, according to the press release.

No other information on the passengers in the Pontiac was available Sunday evening.