Huntley, Illinois (February 26, 2026) — A 21-year-old woman died, and another person was critically injured after a crash involving a semi-truck early Thursday morning on Interstate 90 near Huntley, according to authorities.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified the woman who died as Dasiree Cunningham, 21, of Rockford. Officials said she died from brain injuries sustained in the crash.
The collision occurred around 4:30 a.m. on westbound Interstate 90 near Route 47, just west of the interchange in Huntley.
Incident Details: According to the Huntley Fire Protection District and Illinois State Police, the crash involved a semi-tractor-trailer and a Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound on the interstate.
Emergency crews arrived to find the sedan heavily damaged and positioned off the roadway near the 46.25-mile marker. Firefighters reported that minor extrication was required to remove the vehicle’s two occupants.
Authorities said both the driver and passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu suffered serious to critical injuries believed to be life-threatening. Ambulances transported the victims to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. Cunningham later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at approximately 5:30 a.m.
The second victim’s injuries were considered critical. Due to the severity of those injuries, a LifeNet medical helicopter was dispatched to the hospital helipad and the patient was airlifted to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for advanced trauma care.
Responders also reported that the semi-truck sustained damage and was leaking fuel into a nearby ditch, prompting additional safety precautions at the scene.
Officials have not released the identity or current condition of the surviving victim. The semi-truck driver was not injured in the crash.
Investigation: The Illinois State Police are investigating the cause of the collision with assistance from the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, the Huntley Fire Protection District, and medical personnel who treated the victims.
Investigators may analyze vehicle speeds, lane positioning, braking, unsafe lane changes, and following distance in crashes involving passenger vehicles and large trucks on interstates. Crash reconstruction teams will likely examine skid marks, debris, and impact points to determine the sequence of events.
Investigators may analyze electronic data from vehicles, such as event data recorders that show speed and braking before the crash. Since the collision occurred early in the morning, they might also consider visibility, driver fatigue, and traffic flow.
At this stage, authorities have not announced any citations or criminal charges related to the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
Legal Considerations: Collisions between passenger vehicles and commercial trucks frequently involve complex legal questions, particularly when serious injuries or fatalities occur. Tragic crashes such as this often leave lasting impacts on families and communities, particularly when they involve young victims.
If evidence shows negligence contributed to the crash, Cunningham’s family and the injured party may have the right to pursue wrongful death and personal injury civil claims seeking compensation for funeral costs, medical expenses, and other losses resulting from the collision.
I send my deepest condolences to Dasiree Cunningham’s family and loved ones, and I wish strength and recovery for the injured victim.
Sources: Lake & McHenry County Scanner; WIFR News