The Illinois State Police responded to 1591 IL Route 251 in rural Steward, IL, on 11/19/2018 at 6:52 p.m., after receiving a report a person had been run over.
A preliminary investigation revealed a truck tractor/semi-trailer driven by Derrick G. Finley, 54, of Flint, MI, pulled into the driveway of the residence to turn around. The property owner, Robert L. Barkei, 61, attempted to make contact with the driver as the vehicle left. During the attempt to make contact, Barkei was run over by the semi-trailer and Finley continued onto the highway without stopping. Barkei was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Lee County Coroner’s Office.
Law enforcement located the truck tractor/semi-trailer a short time later at a truck stop in Rochelle, IL, where Finley was taken into custody and charged with aggravated leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He was transported to the Lee County Jail and is awaiting a bond hearing.
The incident remains under investigation and further charges may be pending.
The State Police were assisted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office, Lee County Coroner’s Office, Ogle/Lee/Steward Fire Department, and Advance EMS Ambulance Service.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.