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Fiery Crash Kills Four Near Stillman

March 14, 2006

A fiery head-on crash Saturday claimed the lives of three family members and the driver of the other vehicle.

Authorities said the fatal crash came just minutes after one driver was involved in another accident on Illinois 251.

Sheri Cole, 31, her husband, Jefferey Cole, 37 and their daughter, Grace Cole, 5, were killed when their 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer was hit head-on by a 2002 Trailblazer driven by Rodrigo Duran, 33.

Allison Cole, 3, was airlifted to Rockford Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

The Coles of Rochelle were headed north on a rural stretch of Illinois 251 just south of Mowers Road about 11 a.m. when they were struck.

Duran, also of Rochelle, was in another accident that injured three others just minutes before the fatal collision, said Sergeant Greg Kunce, a 16-year veteran with the Ogle County Sheriff's Department who also serves with the Stillman Valley Fire Department.

A 911 caller reported at 10:59 a.m. an accident on Illinois 251 just north of Dutch Road.

According to authorities, Duran was driving south on Illinois 251 when he rear-ended a Dodge driven by Sandra Gentry of Chana.

Both vehicles slid into the ditch, but Duran took off before authorities arrived.

Gentry and her two passengers were taken to SwedishAmerican Hospital with minor injuries.

Just three minutes later, a 911 caller reported the fatal crash.

The Coles and Duran were pronounced dead at the scene.

Before the two accidents, at 10:48 a.m., sheriff's deputies were told of a reckless driver in a black SUV on Illinois 251 near the intersection of Lindenwood Road.