Afternoon News Update: April 29
- A driver trying to elude Rockford police crashed his car and fled on foot. It happened late Monday night at the intersection of West and Morgan. Police say when they tried to pull the suspect over for rolling through a stop sign; he crashed into another car and then took off on foot. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to an area hospital where he is in critical condition. No description has been given for the suspect except that he is a black male.
- SwedishAmerican Health System will merge with the UW Health System. The announcement came earlier this afternoon. The two have had a formal affiliation since 2010 that has led to the development of the new SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, which resides in northeast Rockford. Both health systems will officially merge later this year.
- A driver crashed her car this morning after trying to escape gunfire. It happened just north of downtown Rockford on Main Street. Three people were injured including the driver of the vehicle, 24-year-old Elizabeth White. Witness reports say she was trying to elude someone shooting at the vehicle. As a result, she was shot and lost control of the car, striking a tree. White has been charged with Driving Under the Influence. Anyone with information is urged to contact Rockford Police or Crime Stoppers.
- The father of a man charged in a fatal hit and run crash in Janesville turned his son in after discovering damage to his vehicle. 24-year-old Sambath Pal is accused of driving the SUV that struck and killed 18-year-old Devin Julius and 24-year-old Mitchell Vance on U.S. 14. The two victims were riding in a group of motorcycles. Police say Pal’s father, Saroeun Tigh, told them he wanted to be a good citizen, so he had to do the right thing and call authorities.
- A multi-vehicle crash in Rockford has left one person in critical condition. It happened late Monday afternoon at the area of U.S. 20 and Winnebago Road. Officials say a semi ran a red light colliding with three other vehicles. One victim had to be airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries. Two others involved in the accident refused treatment.
- A former Illinois lawmaker is now facing child porn charges. Keith Farnham, a 66-year-old Democrat, is accused of having two such videos on a computer seized from his state office. According to officials, Farnham twice co-sponsored bills that would toughen penalties for child porn offenses. The lawmaker has not been arrested but is scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Wednesday. He could face up to ten years in prison.
- Farmers across Illinois took advantage of a dry week last week to plant a big piece of state's anticipated corn crop. The Illinois Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop report that 32 percent of the expected corn crop has been planted. That is just 1 percent shy of the average for this time of year.
- Illinois officials are encouraging residents to check daily air quality like they check the daily weather forecast. Air Quality Awareness Week is part of Earth Month. It features an air-saving practice each day. Such practices include "Ride Together Tuesday," during which motorists are encouraged to carpool.
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