On 12/27/19 at 12:02 pm Ogle County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a 2 vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Mt. Morris Road and IL RTE 72 in rural Leaf River.
A Honda passenger car driven by Victor Heather, 18, of Oregon, was southbound on Mt. Morris Road approaching the intersection with IL RTE 72. Numerous witnesses and evidence at the scene indicate that Heather failed to stop at the stop sign and struck a Kia SUV that was traveling eastbound on IL RTE 72. Heather’s vehicle came to rest in the intersection, facing North. The Kia SUV was pushed into the south ditch upon impact, overturned, and came to rest in the ditch on its side; facing East. Heather was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Mercy Health’s Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford for treatment of serious injuries by the Mt Morris Ambulance.
The Kia was driven by Jason Viverito, 42, of Davis Junction. Passengers in the Kia were: Steve Klassen, 62, of Davis Junction, Dawn Klassen, 58, of Davis Junction, Curtis Sherman, 63, of Loves Park, and a 5 year old female juvenile from Davis Junction. All occupants of the Kia were transported to Swedish American Hospital in Rockford for treatment of serious injuries by EMS from Byron, Leaf River, and Forreston.
This accident remains under investigation.