ROCHELLE, IL : Driver of early morning crash fatality identified, charged on Wednesday, December 7th, 2016

Illinois State Police continue to investigate a fatal accident on I-39 south of Rochelle early Wednesday morning.

At approximately 1:54 a.m., ISP officers responded to a traffic crash on I-39 southbound at milepost 92 in Lee County. Troopers arrived and found unit 1, a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, had rear-ended a truck tractor with semi trailer parked on the shoulder.

The driver of the Trailblazer, Rusty L. Garner, 44, of Union City, Tenn., was airlifted by OSF Life Flight helicopter to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. The two passengers in the Trailblazer were pronounced dead at the scene by the Lee County Coroner. Their names have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.

The ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and the crash investigation is on-going.

ISP has consulted with the Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office and Garner has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, driving while license revoked and illegal transportation of alcohol.

The Illinois Department of Transportation diverted southbound traffic on I-39 until approximately 7 a.m. this morning.

ISP was assisted on the scene by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Rochelle Fire Department, Steward Fire Department, IDOT and Maggio’s Towing.

Source :
Driver of early morning crash fatality identified, charged