Two men killed in car accident after another driver swerved off-road to avoid a deer
KANE COUNTY — After a preliminary investigation, deputies from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office indicated that at approximately 9:43 p.m. on March 9, authorities were dispatched to the intersection of Plank Road and Switzer Road for a four-car collision that resulted in the deaths of two individuals at the scene. Two other individuals involved in the crash were flown via hospital transport to local trauma centers, where they are currently listed in stable condition.
Detectives on the scene determined that a red Ford F150 was traveling westbound on Plank Road when the driver attempted to swerve to avoid hitting a deer. The driver was unable to avoid the deer and went into oncoming traffic, narrowly missing a passing eastbound landscaping vehicle.
The Ford F150 eventually ended up crashing into a white GMC Sierra head-on. The GMC Sierra, which was carrying three occupants, was hauling a trailer and skid steer. After hitting the GMC Sierra, the Ford F150 was struck by a red Dodge Ram. This resulted in the Ford F150 catching on fire.
The driver of the red Ford F150 has since been identified as 18-year-old Vance Peterson. Authorities stated that Peterson was able to be rescued from his burning vehicle after his driver-side window was broken out. He sustained serious burns and fractures and was flown to Loyola Hospital in Maywood.
The driver of the white GMC Sierra was identified as 22-year-old Yahir Porcayo-Porcayo. He sustained serious injuries because of the accident and was flown by helicopter to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. The two passengers of the GMC Sierra were pronounced deceased at the scene. They were later identified as 31-year-old Erick Garcia-Porcayo and 25-year-old Rosalio Porcayo-Porcayo.
The driver and sole occupant of the red Dodge Ram was identified as 30-year-old Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Based on a Kane County Sheriff’s Office press release, it doesn’t appear that Rodriguez-Lopez needed any significant medical attention.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser started to assist the families of Garcia-Porcayo and Rosalio, the two men were Mexican nationals who immigrated to the U.S. from a small village for better opportunities. The families of the two deceased men hope to raise enough funds to bring Garcia-Porcayo and Rosalio back to Mexico for a proper burial.
“The cost of funeral arrangements and the transportation to Mexico is [significant], one that their families cannot confront alone. This is where we come in. We launched this fundraiser to help alleviate part of the financial pressure and guarantee that Erick and Rosalio receive the proper departure that they deserve,” stated the GoFundMe organizer, Baldemar Rodriguez-Lopez, in Spanish. “The funds received will be used to cover the costs of the funeral and the transportation, which will allow their families to concentrate on their loss and celebrate the life of their loved ones.”
The Kane County Sheriff’s Investigations Division continues to investigate the crash. The Kane County Drone Unit and Kane County Office of Emergency Management assisted with processing the scene. The Hampshire Fire Department, Burlington Fire Department, and Pingree Grove Fire Department also aided with the accident.
Those interested in donating to the two victims’ GoFundMe can do so by visiting gofund.me/1429da89. As of March 11, the fundraiser has raised $100 of its $3,500 goal.
