The coroner has released the identity of a “devoted mother” of two, whose identity was initially not positively confirmed, after her car crashed into a tree and became engulfed in flames near Huntley in March.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Huntley Fire Protection District responded around 7:52 a.m. on March 8 to Brier Hill Road and Dietrich Road in unincorporated Huntley for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
Huntley Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Michael Pierce said fire crews arrived in five minutes and found a single-vehicle crash.
The vehicle, a mid-size SUV, had crashed into a tree, sustained heavy damage and caught on fire.
A driver passing by reported the crash.
The car was heavily engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, Pierce said.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and discovered the driver was deceased inside the vehicle.
Kane County Undersheriff Amy Johnson said the driver was the sole occupant of the SUV.
A preliminary investigation showed the SUV was traveling southbound on Brier Hill Road when it left the roadway, returned to the road near Dietrich Road and then left the roadway again before crashing into the tree, Johnson said.
“Due to the extent of the fire damage, the individual cannot be positively identified at this time,” Johnson said in March.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to take possession of the victim and began working to confirm the driver’s identity.
The coroner’s office told Lake and McHenry County Scanner this week that the office had positively identified the victim as Katie Lynn Bero, 45, of Huntley.
An obituary for Bero said she leaves behind two sons, a partner and her partner’s daughter.
“She had a deep love of animals, especially her pets, Patsy, Shadow, Eliza, and Murphy, had a lifelong affection for horses, and was known as Lovie to Michael’s dog, Susan, whom she treasured and referred to as her granddaughter,” her obituary said.
Bero had a “great appreciation” for life’s simple pleasures, including anything purple. “She had also been exploring herbs and tinctures, embracing homeopathic approaches to healing and sharing that passion with those around her.”
“Katie is remembered as an individual with an insatiable enthusiasm for living life to the fullest and always forging new paths in order to stay true to herself. She loved fiercely and wholeheartedly. She was unwaveringly loyal to all those she cared for and protected them with all her strength,” her obituary said.
A funeral service has already been held for Bero, who was described as a “devoted mother” who meant “everything” to her sons.
A GoFundMe account created to help her family cover the funeral services and other unexpected costs raised over $20,000.