On Saturday August 6, 2016, at about 2:12 p.m., Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single-vehicle rollover accident on IL Route 40, just south of Yates Road. The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Hannah L. Zinke of Rock Falls, IL, was northbound on IL Route 40, about a half mile south of Yates Road, when she lost control of the vehicle. The driver entered the southbound lane, over-corrected, and came back through the northbound lane, before entering the east ditch, where it overturned and rolled, before coming to rest on its roof.
Passengers of the vehicle, 62-year-old Barbara L. Wear of Sterling, IL, 59-year-old Cindy L. Fuller of Sterling, and a six-year-old juvenile were injured along with the driver.
All occupants were transported to CGH by Tampico EMS and Walnut EMS. The three adults were then flown to Rockford’s St. Anthony Hospital, where the Winnebago County Coroner pronounced Wear dead shortly after. The juvenile was treated with minimal injuries and released to his parents.
The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Illinois State Police, Rock Falls Police, Tampico Fire/EMS, and Walnut EMS.