Lake County, Illinois (February 26, 2026) — Two Wisconsin residents were killed Thursday morning in a three-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck in northern Lake County, authorities said. A third driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Kelly Wooten, 51, and Jacklyn Bradley, 45, both of Stoughton, Wisconsin.
The collision occurred around 7:50 a.m. on Route 173 near North Kilbourne Road in Wadsworth.
Incident Details: Authorities say Wooten was driving a 2009 Acura sedan when it collided head-on with a Freightliner semi-truck. The circumstances leading to the initial head-on impact have not yet been publicly detailed.
Following the collision between the Acura and the semi, an eastbound Honda minivan driven by a 54-year-old woman from Salem, Wisconsin, also struck the Acura. Wooten and Bradley were both pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Honda minivan was transported to a hospital with injuries that authorities described as not life-threatening. The 24-year-old driver of the Freightliner semi, a man from Evergreen Park, Illinois, was not injured. Emergency responders closed portions of Route 173 while crews investigated and cleared the scene.
Investigation: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team is leading the investigation.
In head-on collisions involving passenger vehicles and commercial semi-trucks, investigators typically examine lane positioning, centerline encroachment, vehicle speed, braking evidence, and driver visibility. Determining which vehicle crossed into opposing traffic is often central to the reconstruction process.
Crash investigators may analyze skid marks, impact angles, and event data recorder information from the involved vehicles. Commercial semi-trucks often include electronic control modules that record speed and braking data in the moments before impact, providing critical insight into reaction times and evasive efforts.
Investigators will also evaluate roadway conditions, weather, and traffic patterns at the time of the crash. At this stage, no citations or criminal charges have been announced. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Legal Considerations: Head-on collisions are among the most severe types of roadway crashes due to the combined force of impact. When commercial vehicles are involved, liability analysis can become complex and may include review of federal motor carrier safety regulations, driver hours-of-service compliance, and vehicle maintenance records.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the Wooten and Bradley families may have the right to pursue wrongful death claims to help with medical, funeral, and other costs associated with the loss of their loved ones. The injured minivan driver may also file a personal injury lawsuit to assist with his medical expenses and lost wages.
I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of Kelly Wooten and Jacklyn Bradley, and I hope for the injured driver’s swift recovery.
Source: Patch.com