A Dubuque man is facing charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, in connection with a crash that killed a 10 year old child and injured a 9 year old early Tuesday morning.
Just after 6:30, the Jo Daviess Sheriff’s Department received numerous reports of a traffic crash with injuries on Highway 20 East about a half-mile west of Summit Drive in rural Stockton. Deputies say a pickup truck driven by 32 year old Julius Jones, of Dubuque, was driving west when the truck started to cross the center line.
A Prairie Farms semi driven by 42 year old Eric Federonich, also of Dubuque, was driving east on Highway 20 and, once he crested a hill, he saw Jones’ truck partially in the eastbound lane of traffic, according to deputies.
Federonich tried to maneuver the semi into the opposite lane of traffic but was struck to Jones’ vehicle, causing the semi-tractor to ignite in flames, according to deputies.
A 9 year old and 10 year old in Jones’ truck were ejected. The 10 year old was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jo Daviess County Coroner’s Office.
The younger child was transported by ambulance to a waiting helicopter and flown to Mercy Rockford. The child was later transported to American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, according to deputies.
Jones was transported by ambulance to a waiting helicopter and was flown to OSF Hospital in Rockford. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage and driving while license revoked.
Federonich refused treatment at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.