One dead in crash at Kangley's Curve

A helicopter flew fast and low over the north side of Wilmington Saturday night, transporting a man who was involved in a crash on Route 53 at Kangley's Curve to the hospital.

The Wilmington Police Department was called to Route 53 at 216th Street, where the state highway turns to the east at what residents know as Kangley's Curve, just after 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. Responding officers found that a vehicle left the roadway and rolled over, ejecting the driver, Emery Pearson, 23, of Peotone.

Pearson was airlifted to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet due to the severity of his injuries. He was later pronounced dead. The Will County coroner's office completed an autopsy Sunday. Preliminary findings show he sustained multiple injuries in a motor vehicle mishap.

The passenger in the vehicle, Luis E. F. LeFevers, 27, of Wilmington, was also transported to  Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center for treatment.

The Will County Sheriff’s Department is doing an accident reconstruction of the incident, but it will likely take several weeks for a determination.  The initial investigation reveals that speed may have been a factor.