Driver in Tuesday Night Crash Dies

Officials in the DuPage County Coroner’s Office have confirmed that Jennifer Vanetten, the 16-year-old driver of the minivan in Tuesday night’s crash in Montgomery, died Wednesday afternoon.

Vanetten passed away at 12:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, officials said. A cause of death has not yet been determined, according to the coroner’s office, and the investigation is ongoing.

The confirmed her death Thursday morning. Police released information Wednesday afternoon that Vanetten was in critical condition at the hospital.

Vanetten, of Big Rock, was driving a 1994 Chevrolet Astrovan north on Orchard Road at the Route 30 intersection at about 8:20 p.m. Tuesday when a semi truck owned by ABF Freight System Inc. of Aurora turned left from the southbound lane, striking the minivan head on, police said.

A Lifestar helicopter transported Vanetten to Good Samaritan Hospital on Tuesday night, police said. Two passengers in the van—Sharon Vanetten, 38, of Big Rock, and a 13-year-old—were taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, where they were treated for minor injuries and released, police said.

The driver of the semi truck declined medical treatment at the scene, Oswego Fire Protection District officials said. A family pet, a black and brown German shepherd, ran from inside the van after the crash, and has not yet been located, police said. A post on Lost Dogs Illinois is here.

The accident remains under investigation by Montgomery police, and anyone with information is asked to call the investigations tip line at 630-879-8707, ext. 3300.