A family is mourning the death of a Marengo woman, who had just turned 22, after she was killed when another driver crashed head-on into her car near Huntley as she was traveling to Walmart Thursday.
The Huntley Fire Protection District and Kane County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:28 p.m. Thursday to the area of Sandwald Road and Big Timber Road in unincorporated Huntley for a report of a vehicle crash.
Huntley Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Eric Bentley said multiple 911 calls were received reporting a two-vehicle crash with injuries.
911 callers reported people were still inside the vehicles and the airbags had deployed.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived first and reported that two victims were unresponsive and there was possibly entrapment.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office on Friday identified the male victim as Nathan King, 28, of Hampshire, and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the female victim as Emmalee Toler, 22, of Marengo.
Bentley said fire crews arrived to find both vehicles with significant front-end damage in the roadway just west of the intersection.
A preliminary investigation indicates a Volkswagen Jetta, driven by King, was traveling westbound on Big Timber Road, according to Kane County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Amy Johnson.
The Volkswagen, for reasons still under investigation, appears to have crossed into the eastbound lane while negotiating a curve.
The Volkswagen subsequently collided head-on with an eastbound Chevrolet Sonic, which was driven by Toler.
Firefighters were able to access both Toler and King without the need for extrication.
The drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles, Bentley said.
Both were confirmed unconscious and not breathing with paramedics providing lifesaving measures, according to fire department radio traffic.
A medical helicopter was initially requested to respond to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital but was later canceled.
Bentley said King was pronounced dead at the scene and Toler was transported to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital where she later died from her injuries.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to begin the investigation into the cause and manner of death of King, who was transported to the coroner’s office for further examination.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office responded to the hospital and took possession of Toler for an autopsy.
An autopsy was performed on Friday on King and the preliminary results showed he suffered multiple injuries consistent with a motor vehicle crash.
An autopsy was performed on Monday on Toler and the preliminary results showed she also died from multiple blunt force injuries consistent with a vehicle crash.
Sondra Sorensen Toler said in a social media post that she “cannot put into words the grief that I am feeling” as she mourned her daughter’s death.
The 22-year-old woman had left home to go to Walmart for some dairy-free products.
“Little did we know that she would not be returning to us. She had a head on collision and the Lord took her home,” Sondra Sorensen Toler said.
“I wish so much, that I could go back in time and keep her from leaving yesterday,” she added.
Toler had just turned 22 on April 14, her mother said, asking for the community to “Please, please, pray for our family. We need it so very badly!”
The woman’s brother, Scottie Toler, said in a social media post that he did not “really have the words right now to explain how much this hurts.”
“I still can’t wrap my head around this. She was such a sweet kid and gone way too soon,” he said.
“The Coroner, Dr. Monica Silva, and her staff, offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. King,” the Kane County Coroner’s Office said in a statement.
Big Timber Road was shut down for several hours for an investigation.
Members of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division, Evidence Division, Drone Team and the Kane County Office of Emergency Management responded to assist with the investigation and scene management.
Johnson said investigators have not identified any independent witnesses to the crash and no surveillance cameras have been located in the area.
“The Kane County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those involved during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.
Both vehicles were removed from the scene and transported to a secure facility for further examination.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Coroner’s Office and McHenry County Coroner’s Office.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have information related to the incident is asked to contact the Kane County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 630-444-1103.