Whiteside County sheriff releases preliminary details on crash that killed 13-year-old near Prophetstown

PROPHETSTOWN — The Whiteside County sheriff released more information Thursday, May 1, about a crash that claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy the day before in rural Prophetstown.

Whiteside County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 18000 block of Lomax Road shortly after 3:30 p.m. in reference to the crash. According to a news release, deputies located a 13-year-old boy who was unresponsive. Deputies and EMS personnel rendered medical aid; however, the boy was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release.

The teen’s name has not been released.

Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker said Thursday that a preliminary investigation has determined a black Ford Edge driven by Tara Fettig, 60, of Tampico, was traveling east on Lomax Road when the dirt bike, a 125cc Kawasaki operated by the teenager, entered the road from a private driveway and the two collided.

The crash is being investigated by the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District Superintendent Heidi Lensing announced on social media Wednesday night that a student in the district had died earlier in the day as the result of a tragic accident.

“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts go out to the family and all who are grieving,” Lensing wrote. “As a district, we are committed to supporting our students and staff during this incredibly difficult time.”

Lensing said counselors, social workers, and area ministers were at the sixth– to 12th-grade campus Thursday to provide comfort, guidance, and a space for students to process the loss.

She also encouraged parents to talk to their children as students may respond in a variety of ways and may need additional support in the coming days.

Prophetstown police, firefighters and EMS, the Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, the Whiteside County Coroner’s Office and Randy’s Towing assisted at the scene.