Woman, 73, Dies After Black Road Crash At Essington Road With 3 Other Vehicles: Joliet Police Announce

JOLIET, IL —A 73-year-old Joliet woman has died after suffering life-threatening injuries following Tuesday afternoon's major crash at Black Road and Essington Road, Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English revealed.

"Early this morning, the Joliet Police Department was notified
that the 73-year-old female driver of the Subaru Forester involved in yesterday’s crash at Black Road and Essington Road was unfortunately pronounced dead at St. Joseph Medical Center. Identification of the victim and manner of death will be determined by the Will County Coroner’s Office," English announced in Wednesday's press release.

The Will County Coroner's Office identified the fatality victim as Marilyn Hertko.

According to police, at 4:18 p.m., officers responded to Black Road and Essington Road for a multi-vehicle crash with injuries. A Subaru Forester driven by a 73-year-old Joliet woman was traveling eastbound on Black Road approaching Essington Road.

"It is alleged that the Subaru entered the intersection at a high rate of speed and struck a Chrysler Pacifica driven by a 53-year-old Joliet woman that was northbound on Essington Road making a left turn on a green traffic arrow toward westbound Black Road," English said.

After the first collision, police said the Subaru struck a Ford Explorer driven by a 53-year-old Joliet man and a Jeep Liberty driven by a 32-year-old Joliet man. Both vehicles were stopped northbound on Essington Road at the red light at Black Road. The Subaru then rolled over before coming to rest, according to police.

As for the injuries, English said the driver of the Subaru was extricated by the Joliet Fire Department and transported to St. Joseph Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Chrysler was also extricated, and she and a juvenile passenger were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

A passenger in the Jeep was treated at the scene by paramedics for a minor injury.

"The investigation remains ongoing," English said. "Anyone with video footage or additional information related to the crash is urged to contact the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at 815-724-3010."