OREGON — On July 16 at approximately 9:49 p.m. deputies responded to a one-vehicle accident at the intersection of Illinois Route 26 and Illinois Route 64. After investigation, deputies learned the driver, Jeffrey Decker, 53, of Lombard, was traveling westbound in his maroon Mazda SUV on Illinois Route 64. Decker then traveled through the stop sign at the T-intersection of Illinois Route 26 and continued off the roadway before striking an embankment and going airborne before coming to rest. Decker was checked out on scene by Polo EMS and transported to KSB Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Decker was also issued citations for disobeying a traffic control device, seat belt violation, and operating an uninsured vehicle. Polo officers and Mt. Morris officers assisted with the accident.
On July 17 at 5:50 p.m. deputies were dispatched to an accident with injuries in the 100 block of East Town Line Road. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a gray Volkswagen Passat driven by Andrea S. Hackbarth, 44, of Oregon struck a Cub Cadet lawn mower, driven by James W. Shepard, 60, of Leaf River. It was determined that the Cub Cadet was driving westbound, mowing the north ditch while partially in the roadway, when it was struck from behind by the Volkswagen, which was also headed westbound. Hackbarth was reportedly blinded by the sun, and Shepard was ejected from the Cub Cadet. Shepard was transported to OSF St. Anthony Hospital by Byron EMS, for injuries sustained during the accident. No citations were issued. Deputies were assisted on scene by Byron Fire/EMS.
On July 17 at 4:18 p.m. deputies were dispatched to the intersection of North Mulford Road and East Lindenwood Road in reference to a three-vehicle crash. Upon arrival and following the investigation, it was determined that Perla Moreno Rangel, 41, of Rochelle, failed to yield the right of way and struck Dustin Gutierrez, 39, of Davis Junction. Gutierrez was taken to Javon Bea Hospital for minor injuries by Rochelle Fire Ambulance. After the initial crash, Gutierrez's vehicle struck a car driven by Samantha Leombruni, 22, of Byron. Leombruni was stopped at the intersection when her car was struck. Moreno Rangel was cited for a stop sign violation and given a court date.
All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.
