Minooka Man, 63, Dies When Semi Blows Stop Sign: Coroner

MINOOKA, IL — A 63-year-old pickup truck driver died Wednesday evening as he was involved in a crash with a semi-trailer that drove through the stop sign at Sherill and Grove roads in rural Minooka, according to authorities.

Grundy County Coroner John Callahan identified the fatality victim as Kenneth Bolte. The Minooka motorist was found dead at the scene, his 2011 GMC Sierra pickup truck pinned underneath the semi-trailer driven by a Dolton resident, Jermaine Renix, who has been ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

"Pending a complete investigation by the accident reconstructionist, coroner's office and the Grundy County State's Attorney's Office, additional charges could be filed at later date," the Grundy County Sheriff's announced Thursday afternoon on Facebook.

Preliminary investigation indicates a semi tractor-trailer was south bound on Grove Road and entered the intersection while the eastbound pickup truck was entering the intersection. The pickup truck was driven by Bolte, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:35 p.m.

The intersection is marked with a stop sign for traffic on Grove Road and no traffic signs for east or westbound traffic on Sherill Road, Callahan pointed out.

The crash remains under investigation by the Callahan’s Office and the Grundy County Sheriff's Office. Minooka Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.