One dead after three-car wreck in Winnetka

A three-car crash in Winnetka Monday night, Dec. 13, resulted in the death of one of the drivers, according to a release from the Winnetka Police Department.

Local police and fire units responded to the 1300 block of Willow Road at 7:21 p.m. for a car accident in which two cars traveling opposite directions collided and both drivers reportedly were trapped in their vehicles. 

The release says firefighters used extrication equipment to remove the drivers. Both reportedly were transferred to area hospitals, and Darlene Kerber, 61, of Berkeley, Illinois, a western suburb, was pronounced dead at 8:01 p.m.. at Evanston Hospital, according to Natalia Derevyanny, of the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Brian O’Connell, deputy police chief with the Winnetka Police Department, said Kerber was driving a compact SUV eastbound when her car collided with a sedan headed westbound on Willow Road just west of Hibbard Road.

The other driver’s condition was unknown as of press time. O’Connell added that the cause of the crash is under investigation, but authorities do not believe the accident was caused by anything criminal.

O’Connell said debris from the collision struck a third vehicle, which was traveling eastbound on Willow Road. Individuals in the third car did not sustain injuries, he said.

The department is working with a regional task force on the investigation.

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