FATAL CRASH-US 41 & SR 14 (ENOS) MOROCCO, IN        

NEWTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE (9-28-23 8:00 pm)

On Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 10:55am, Newton County 9-1-1 received reports of a multi-vehicle crash at US 41 and SR 14.

The preliminary investigation indicates a semi-tractor (driven by a 31 year old Bourbonnais, IL woman) pulling a tanker (empty) was traveling west across all lanes of US 41 from SR 14.  The semi failed to yield to a south bound motor home that was pulling a car trailer.  The motor home was driven by a 70 year old Lake Village, IN man with his wife (73 years old) as a passenger.  The motor home struck the rear of the west bound semi’s trailer.  The impact pushed the two vehicles into an east bound semi that was stopped at the stop sign of CR 100 N (SR 14) and US 41.  The occupants of the motor home were entrapped and had to be extricated.

The Lake Village man was flown to a Chicago hospital with severe injuries.  His wife was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.  Both semi drivers refused medical treatment/transport.

No names are being released at this time as the crash remains under investigation and pending notification of next of kin.

The south bound lanes of US 41 were closed at SR 14 for about 6 hours for scene investigation and removal of the wreckage.

Assisting agencies: Newton County Communications, Newton County EMS, Morocco Fire, Lake Township Fire, Lowell Fire, Brook Fire, Indiana State Police, Indiana Conservation Police, Morocco Police, Newton County Prosecutor’s Investigator, Newton County EMA, Newton County Coroner and Lutheran Air.

SCHOOL BUS CRASH- KENTLAND

Newton County Sheriff’s Office (9-27-2023)

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 3:06PM, Newton County 9-1-1 received reports of a crash involving two school buses on CR 50 E at CR 1300S (South Newton campus).

The preliminary investigation indicates an east bound mini bus failed to yield the right-of-way to a north bound school bus.

South Newton School Corp administration and staff were on scene immediately to assess the well-being of all student passengers.

Passengers from the north bound bus were not injured and were transferred to another bus to resume the regular route.  Passengers from the mini-bus were evaluated by on-scene medics and released to parents.  The female driver of the mini bus was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

Assisting agencies:  Newton County Communications, Newton County EMA, Newton County EMS, Kentland Fire, Kentland Police, Newton County Prosecutor’s Investigators and Indiana State Police

On September 16, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Lawrence W. Guynn, age 74, of Martintion. According to police reports, Guynn was charged with driving while license revoked. Guynn was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On September 17, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Jennifer L. Brock, age 33, of Sheldon. According to police reports, Brock was charged with domestic battery. Brock was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she remains in lleu of bond.

On September 19, 2023, Iroquois County sheriff’s Police arrested Deitrick Baines, age 41, of Martintion. According to police reports, Baines was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, and driving while license revoked. In addition, Baines was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with failure to appear for driving while license revoked. Baines was taken into custody after deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle Baines was driving. Baines failed to stop and led police on a pursuit that entered Benton Co. Indiana before returning to Iroquois County. Baines’s vehicle eventually came to a stop in rural Milford where he was taken into custody without further incident. Baines was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On September 19, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Jeremy Garrison, age 43, of Bourbonnais and Angela Simpson, age 43, of Manteno. According to police reports, Garrison and Simpson were taken into custody after a vehicle they were traveling in was stopped by deputies. A probable cause search of the vehicle turned up suspected methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia. Garrison and Simpson were charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. In addition, Garrison was charged with obstructing identification and driving while license suspended. Garrison was also wanted on an outstanding Kankakee County warrant for shoplifting. Garrison and Simpson were taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail. Simpson posted the required bond and was released; Garrison awaited extradition to Kankakee County.

On September 8, 2023, Iroquois County Sh.eriff’s Police arrested Carlos A. Molina Ochoa, age 43, of Jacksonville, Florida. According to police reports, Ochoa was charged with retail theft under $300. Ochoa was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

A 36-year-old Travis Wood of, Stockland parrished in a single-vehicle accident Saturday night  around 11:40 pm in Iroquois County. Wood was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Iroquois County Coroner's Office.  Sheriff's Police said his vehicle on 2850 E Road left the roadway and ran thru two ditches before overturning serveral times.  The vehicle came to rest on its roof in a standing corn field.  A passenger was treated for minor injuries at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka.  

Iroquois county Sheriff's Police, Coroner's office, Stockland Fire and Milford Fire/EMS assisted. 

On 09/07/2023 at approximately 5:00 PM Newton County Dispatch received 911 calls in reference to a car versus semi crash on Southbound US 41 at County Road 350 South in Morocco.

The preliminary investigation by Deputy Scheckel indicates a Buick passenger car driven by a 63 year old Rensselaer, IN man crossed US 41 at CR 350S.  The vehicle failed to yield to a southbound tractor/trailer driven by a 33 year old Jackson, MI man.

The driver of the Buick was extricated from the vehicle by Morocco Fire personnel, treated by Newton County EMS and flown to a Chicago area hospital for serious injuries.

The driver of the semi was refused medical attention at the scene.

Names are being withheld at this time.

Assisting agencies: Newton County Communications, Morocco Fire, Morocco Police Dept, Newton County EMS and Lutheran Air.

State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) joined state and local leaders along with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in Gilman to celebrate the $250 million capital investment at Incobrasa Industries LTD’s soybean manufacturing facility. The expansion will help increase jobs, commerce, and production capacities, said Senator Bennett.

“I am honored that I was able to join today to celebrate this major investment in our agricultural industry right here in our community,” said Sen. Bennett. “Illinois is the leader of soybean production, so we must capitalize on creating more jobs, boosting our economy, and continuing to provide the world with useful soybean products.” 

Incobrasa has been a leader in soybean processing for decades, processing around 120,000 bushels daily. It is essential for manufacturing products such as vegetable oil, animal feed, and biodiesel. It will be home to an additional 170,000-square-foot state-of-the-art biodiesel production plant and a 50-acre solar array to help fuel the facilities. This expansion will also provide construction jobs for workers across the region, create new and permanent careers, double its production capacity, and boost the economy.

Illinois is currently fourth among all states in biodiesel production and third in consumption, with around 160 million gallons consumed annually. This expansion will allow the company to use a substantial supply of soybeans and produce more animal feed, packaged vegetable oil, and biodiesel. It is expected that the company will more than double its production capacity by 2030.

“Investing in plants such as Incobrasa will help ensure that we are meeting the recent demands of this high-blend renewable fuel,” said Sen. Bennett. “I look forward to seeing what more Incobrasa can accomplish.” 

On September 1st at 11:40 PM, Newton County deputies responded to the intersection of SR 14 and CR 100 E for the report of a two vehicle crash.

The preliminary investigation by Cpl. Fenley indicates a Honda Civic (driven by a 24 year old Milwaukee, WI man) was traveling eastbound on SR 14 when it began to have mechanical problems. The driver of the Honda stopped in the roadway with no lights activated. A passing vehicle nearly hit the Honda before turning around and offering assistance. The driver of the Honda attempted to move his vehicle further off the road and pulled his vehicle to the north side of the road into the grass shoulder, but was still partially on the roadway in the westbound lane.  A Freightliner box truck (driven by a 33 year old Montgomery, IL woman) was traveling westbound on SR 14 noticed the vehicle of the good Samaritans, who had stopped, but not the Honda. The Freightliner then struck the disabled Honda then ran off the roadway and overturned.

The male driver and female passenger of the Honda were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The female driver (sole occupant) of the Freightliner was evaluated on scene and found to have no injuries. She was then provided courtesy transport to a local hotel for the evening.

Assisting agencies;  Newton County 9-1-1 Communications, Newton County EMS and Morocco Fire Department.

On 09/01/2023 at approximately 4:01 PM Newton County Dispatch received multiple 911 calls in reference to a two vehicle crash on US 41 near County Road 500 North.  Deputies were dispatched along with fire and medical personnel to the scene.

Through witness statements and scene investigation, it was determined that a Northbound passenger car driven by a 24 year-old Lafayette, Indiana woman was disabled on the left shoulder and was partially blocking the left lane.  A 64 year-old Ohio man driving a northbound pickup truck did not see the vehicle in his lane and struck it from behind.

The female driver was standing outside of her vehicle at the time of the collision and was not injured.  The male sustained multiple injuries and was removed from his vehicle by witnesses before emergency personnel arrived.  Medical staff transported the male to an area hospital for his injuries.  Northbound lanes of US 41 were closed for a little more than an hour during the investigation and cleanup efforts.

Assisting agencies:Newton County Dispatch, Morocco Police Department, Newton County Prosecutor’s Office Drug Task Force, Morocco Fire, Lake Township Fire, Newton County EMS, Newton County EMA and Tri-Creek EMS.

 Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Zone 1 is requesting the public’s assistance in the investigation surrounding the death of 52-year-old Bert N. Lawton of Grant Park, IL. On August 27, 2023 at approximately 2:45 a.m., ISP Troop 5 responded to a hit and run crash involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle on 14000 East and 4000 North Road in Momence, IL. The driver of the motorcycle, Bert N. Lawton, was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. The offending vehicle fled the scene westbound onto 4000 North Road into Momence and is believed to have sustained heavy front-end damage. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the ISP DCI Zone 1 at 815-209- 6567. Witnesses can remain anonymous.