One Dead, One Injured After Strange Vehicle Accident in Rural Galena

A Galena family is mourning after a tragic accident claimed the life of a longtime resident and left his wife injured on Tuesday afternoon. The accident occurred in what can only be considered an extremely odd and sad circumstance.

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According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened just after 2 PM on September 9th along West Longhollow Road, about a half-mile east of Linden Trail in rural Galena. In the police report, deputies say 82-year-old Beverly Van Dyke-Klaersch and her husband, 77-year-old William Klaersch, were in their 2016 Cadillac SUV on private property. As they began to exit the vehicle, it began rolling forward unexpectedly.

Investigators believe the couple thought the SUV was in park when it began moving toward a steep downhill slope. Beverly quickly got back into the driver’s seat in an effort to stop the vehicle, but she was thrown out as it picked up speed down the slope. William was unable to get out of the SUV before it struck multiple trees and came to rest in a ravine.

Emergency crews from several area agencies, including the Illinois State Police, Galena Police and EMS, Elizabeth Fire/EMS, and the Scales Mound Fire Department, responded to the crash. Deputies and paramedics performed life-saving measures on William, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Beverly was taken by Elizabeth Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Dubuque for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office says the accident remains under investigation. Officials emphasized how quickly a routine stop can turn tragic, especially in rural areas with steep terrain.