Des Plaines, Illinois (December 6, 2025) — Authorities have identified Laurie Jensen, 65, of Mount Prospect, as the woman killed Saturday morning in a two-vehicle collision on Mannheim Road after a U.S. Postal Service truck veered into oncoming traffic.
Incident Details: Des Plaines police responded to the crash around 10:07 a.m. in the 1700 block of Mannheim Road. According to the preliminary investigation, a 2022 Mercedes-Benz USPS truck driven by Leonard Moore, 48, was heading south when it drifted across the center line and struck a northbound 2005 Chrysler Sebring driven by Jensen.
Both drivers were transported to a nearby hospital. Jensen succumbed to her injuries, while Moore’s condition was not specified. Moore told investigators he briefly lost control of the postal truck before it crossed into opposing lanes. He has been cited for improper lane usage and is scheduled to appear in court on January 16. The crash remains under investigation.
Investigation: Des Plaines police are continuing to examine what caused Moore to lose control of the USPS truck. Investigators are expected to analyze roadway evidence such as skid marks, impact angles, lane positioning, and debris fields to determine how far the vehicle drifted and whether corrective steering occurred.
In collisions involving large commercial or government-operated trucks, investigators often conduct mechanical inspections to check for brake, steering, or tire failures. They may also look into whether driver fatigue, distraction, or a medical episode contributed to the drift into oncoming lanes. Surveillance video from nearby businesses and data from the truck’s onboard systems, if available, may help reconstruct the final seconds before impact.
A clear understanding of why the vehicle left its lane is crucial not only for public safety but for the family who lost a loved one in a matter of moments.
Legal Considerations: Under Illinois law, all drivers have a duty to maintain their lane and operate their vehicles with reasonable care, a responsibility that is heightened for operators of large service vehicles, such as USPS trucks. When a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic, it is typically considered a strong indicator of negligence, unless a sudden, unavoidable emergency can be proven to have occurred.
For Laurie’s family, a wrongful death claim may allow them to seek compensation for funeral expenses, emotional suffering, and the long-term financial and relational impact of losing her. These claims often help families find some measure of accountability while they cope with devastating grief.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Laurie Jensen as they mourn this heartbreaking loss.
Source: Daily Herald