Man Killed In I-80 Crash Near Seneca

A man delivering medical supplies to Spring Valley is dead after a wrong-way crash.

The Grundy County Coroner’s Office says 66-year old Abed Bader of Bridgeview was killed after being hit by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 80 just after midnight this morning near Seneca.  Investigators think Bader was heading east on I-80 back to his home in Bridgeview after stopping in Spring Valley when an unidentified wrong-way driver hit him head on.  Bader came to a stop eastbound I-80 and was then hit by a semi.  Bader’s car was shoved 200 feet down the interstate before stopping in the median.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers have not released the name of the wrong-way driver who survived the crash.  Grundy County Coroner John Callahan described the crash as violent, saying it took an hour to remove Bader from his crumpled car.

Shaved Heads In Seneca For St. Baldricks

Seneca High School got the 2013 St. Baldrick’s fundraising season off to a good start.

Ten shavees helped to raise over a thousand dollars for St. Baldricks during yesterday’s event at Seneca High.  In four years, the Seneca High School St. Baldrick’s fundraiser has collected over 10 thousand dollars for childhood cancer research.

A week from today, over 100 people are expected to get their heads shaved for St. Baldrick’s at Jeremiah Joe Coffee in downtown Ottawa.

Ruling In Wrongful Death Suit Involving Ottawa Dentist

The widow of an Ottawa dentist killed while riding his bike has won a six figure lawsuit.

A jury Thursday in La Salle County decided 76-year old Everett Olmstead of Earlville caused the death of Dr. John Harbeck because Olmstead hit Harbeck with his grain truck after an improper pass. Harbeck’s widow was awarded 804 thousand dollars in the wrongful death lawsuit.

Olmstead hasn’t been given jail time for the fatal crash just ordered to pay fines and court costs.

Trial News For Alleged DUI Crash That Killed Ottawa Teacher

The fiancé of an Ottawa elementary teacher killed in an alleged drunk driving crash will go to trial this spring.

Chad Marks of Morris will go to trial in May for aggravated DUI.  He’s accused of being drunk last August when he crashed on Route 6 in Grundy County.  The crash killed his fiancée, 26 year old Brittany Judy of Ottawa.  Judy was a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Ottawa.

Marks is out of custody after posting five thousand dollars bond.

Illinois Close To Passing More Cell Phone Use Restrictions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois House has approved a measure that would prohibit using cell phones while driving.

The 64-46 vote Friday moves the bill to the state Senate for consideration. The law would force drivers to use hands-free devices or speakerphone features for calls while driving. State Representative Frank Mautino voted against the law while State Rep. Pam Roth of Morris was absent during yesterday’s vote.

Police would be able to stop and ticket drivers holding a cell phone except during emergency situations. Opponents say the bill is unfair to individuals with hearing problems and those who cannot afford high-tech phones.