On The Record

Fatal Accident

On August 26 at approximately 5:50 am, Illinois State Police responded to an accident on US Route 20 just west of Salem Road in Stephenson County.

A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 (2008 Gold Dodge Caravan driven by Dennis D. Koester, 63 of Lena) was traveling eastbound and Unit 2 (2013 Gray Hyundai Elantra driven by Kathy M. Rinehart, 47 of Freeport) was traveling westbound, on U.S. Route 20 west of Salem Road.

Unit 1 crossed the center line and entered the westbound lane of traffic. The front end of Unit 1 struck the front end of Unit 2. U.S....