One dead, one hospitalized in Stephenson County crash

STEPHENSON COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) - A 51-year-old Davis man is dead and a 19-year-old from Freeport is in the hospital after a crash Thursday morning in rural Stephenson County.

According to the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were called around 5:45 a.m. March 30 to the area of N. Davis Road, just north of Walnut Grove Road. Deputies reported they found the 51-year-old laying in a field on the east side of Davis Rd, having been ejected from his vehicle. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released pending notification to the family.

Investigators believe the driver of the other vehicle, 19-year-old Darion Wheeler, crossed the center line, allegedly hitting the 51-year-old man’s vehicle head-on. Wheeler was taken to a nearby hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Wheeler was later airlifted to another hospital for a higher level of care.

No charges have been issued at this time, although deputies say driving while impaired is believed to be a factor in the crash and criminal charges are possible.