A suspected drunk driver was airlifted to a hospital Tuesday morning in a head-on crash near Woodbine that claimed the life of one child and seriously injured another, according to authorities.
Thirty-two-year-old Julius S. Jones, of Dubuque, Iowa, will face multiple criminal charges, including driving under the influence, for his role in the wreck, according to a release from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Department. Updated condition reports for Jones and his injured passenger, a 9-year-old from Dubuque, weren’t available Wednesday.
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Authorities did not say whether Jones has yet obtained the services of a drunk driving attorney.
Jones at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday was driving a pickup truck westbound on U.S. 20 between Stockton and Woodbine when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck drifted across the centerline into the eastbound lane at the same time a semi-tractor trailer was approaching.
Forty-two-year-old Eric. V. Federonich, of Dubuque, the semi driver, saw the pickup and tried to move out of the way to avoid a crash, authorities said. However, the vehicles crashed head-on, causing the semi to catch fire, according to deputies.
Jones’ 9-year-old passenger and another child, identified only as a 10-year-old from Dubuque, were ejected during the crash. The 10-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck and the 9-year-old was airlifted to a Madison, Wis., hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Jones also suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford for treatment, according to the press release. Federonich did not suffer any injuries in the crash.
Authorities said Jones will face charges of driving with a revoked license, improper lane usage and driving under the influence of alcohol. An experienced drunk driving attorney will help Jones navigate the court process.
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