Walnut woman dead, four others injured in crash Monday south of Rock Falls

ROCK FALLS – A rural Walnut woman is dead and four others injured, two seriously, following a three-vehicle crash around 10 a.m. Monday near state Route 40 south of Star Road, about midway between Rock Falls and Deer Grove, State Police said in a news release.

Cheryl Wolf, 75, died at the scene, Whiteside County Coroner Joe McDonald said.

According to the ISP, Laurel M. Megli, 69, of Deer Grove, was southbound on Route 40 when she crossed the center line and sideswiped a northbound semi tractor-trailer, lost control and hit Wolf’s northbound van, which was behind the semi, head-on.

Wolf was killed, Treva Kennedy, 53, was seriously injured, and Tiana Kennedy, 23, and a 4-year-old boy, all from Walnut, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the release said.

Megli, also seriously injured, was cited for improper lane usage.

Information on their conditions was not provided.

The investigation continues, and more charges are pending, the release said.