On Monday, July 8, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications received a 911 call, reporting a two-vehicle crash on Freeport Road, at the intersection of Penrose Road, rural Sterling, IL. Initial investigation, by responding Deputies and the Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit, determined 59-year-old Laura Jenkins-Reffett of Altona, IL, was traveling northbound on Freeport Road and attempted to turn west onto Penrose Road. There, a southbound motorcycle, driven by 27-year-old Tanner Rennie of Morrison, IL, collided with the vehicle driven by Jenkins-Reffett. Rennie was transported from the scene via OSF LifeFlight with serious injuries. Jenkins-Reffett was issued a Citation for Failure to Yield while Turning Left. The crash remains under investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Sterling Fire Department; Rock Falls Fire Department; CGH EMS; OSF LifeFlight; Slim N’ Hanks.
The public is reminded all charges are merely accusations, and persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.