Galena, IL (July 19, 2020) – Deputies from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (JDCSO) were called to the scene of a deadly car accident in Galena. According to local reports, the accident took place on Friday, July 17. Law enforcement officials and emergency responders were notified of the crash at around 4 p.m. that afternoon.
The collision involved multiple vehicles, according to reports from JDCSO. The crash occurred in rural Galena at the intersection of US-20 and Devils Ladder Road. Authorities learned upon arriving that an eastbound vehicle driven by 74-year-old Beverly Kloss crossed the center-line of the highway and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle driven by Nancy Jargo.
The impact caused Jargo to lose control of her vehicle and strike another vehicle head-on. That third vehicle was driven by 54-year-old Mary Morhardt. The second collision caused Morhardt’s vehicle to leave the roadway and land in a nearby culvert.
A fourth vehicle then collided with Jargo’s vehicle. Jargo was transported to a nearby medical facility for the treatment of sustained injuries.
Emergency responders attempted to revive Morhardt, but she was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. An ongoing investigation into the crash is being managed by local law enforcement officials.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Mary Morhardt at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families in hopes of a full recovery.
Deadly Head-On Collisions in Jo Daviess County
Head-on car accidents are some of the most fatal. Even at low speeds, these collisions can result in catastrophic injuries or death, and it is crucial that drivers pay attention to the road in order to avoid these types of accidents. Overwhelmingly, these types of crashes are often caused by negligent or inattentive drivers who fail to pay attention to the roadway. Despite only accounting for nearly 2% of reported crashes, head-on impacts are involved in around 10% of fatal accidents reported each year. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), head-on crashes have a nearly 58% fatality rate.
Family members are often left reeling after a loved one’s life is tragically cut short due to the negligence of another, and recovering can be a difficult battle for surviving family members who are left to pick up the pieces. It is only natural to want to grieve, and pursuing a lawsuit is usually the least of their concerns. However, an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit can potentially help your family recover financial compensation resulting from your devastating loss.
At Kent M. Lucaccioni, Ltd., we take the utmost care and deliberation to do everything possible to obtain compensation for our clients after they have suffered the loss of a dear family member. Our Illinois wrongful death attorneys can support your family through this difficult time and bring you some peace of mind, while making sure that the at-fault party is held responsible. Contact our offices today at 877-930-2551 if you have unfairly lost a family member in a deadly Illinois car accident.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Chicago and broader Illinois community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. You should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation. The photographs depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident scene.
