Widow Of WI Man Killed In Crash Wants Guardrails At Tollway Ramp

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The widow of a Wisconsin man who died in a crash shortly after leaving a Crystal Lake restaurant is calling on state and federal officials to install guardrails at the ramp where the collision happened.

Benjamin Oberto, 45, was first reported missing after leaving 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake on the night of November 13 and never returning to his home in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Two days later, officers with the Rosemont Police Department found a Subaru Impreza with Wisconsin registration partially submerged in a creek at the bottom of an embankment on the curve of the Interstate 90 eastbound ramp to Interstate 294 northbound. Divers with the police department found a body inside the vehicle, which was later identified as Oberto, according to police.

Rosemont officials have said other crashes have occurred in the same area after vehicles ran off the edge of the ramp, according to the Daily Herald.

Following the death of her husband, Laura Leatherberry, Oberto’s wife, began reading old news articles and learning more about similar crashes that have happened near the tollway ramp. She also began reaching out to public officials.

She believes a guardrail and adequate signage showing a sharp turn could prevent future fatal crashes, according to the article.

“I don’t know if this guardrail would have saved my husband’s life,” Leatherberry said. “I hope it would have. I think it might have. I’ll never know that for sure. But I know I can help save other people’s lives.”

• Few New Details Released In Benjamin Oberto's Death
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Oberto was a sales manager for Massanois, LLC. The New York-based wine distribution company shared news of Oberto's death over the weekend on its Facebook page. He was leaving a business dinner at 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake and on his way back to Wisconsin when his vehicle collided in Rosemont.

According to 1776 employees, Oberto was considered a friend to many working at the local restaurant.

"The restaurant community often creates deep friendships and tight bonds. Many of those go beyond the normal scope of our day to day. Ben was so much more to us than a wine representative or industry partner. He brought so much joy and laughter into our lives," according to a post last month on the 1776 Facebook page. "Ben quickly became family to our staffers and gained many friendships with our guests over the years. He had an incredible ability to connect with anyone he met. He breathed so much passion and excitement in sharing his knowledge. He was a generous man and would jump at the chance to educate and inspire anyone who would listen. To those that were lucky to befriend him in our space, consider trying a bottle from a region you have never heard of in his honor. Ben fancied Italian wines and would have loved that you are reaching beyond, expanding your palate. Ben was such a treasure to us all, we will be forever grateful for his presence in our lives."

An online fundraiser has been set up to bring in money for Oberto's family and has raised more than $109,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. The fundraiser is being organized by Massanois, LLC, and a friend of Oberto's family, Jennifer Powell.

"Ben was not only the backbone of his family but also a kind and selfless member of our community. He always had a smile on his face, was ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, and had an infectious zest for life. His absence will be felt by the countless lives he touched," Powell wrote in the GoFundMe post. "Ben was a pillar of Massanois and the wine industry at large, and a beloved friend and colleague to thousands around the globe."

Funds raised will help the financial burden Oberto's late wife will be facing following his death.

Those interested in donating to the fundraiser can do so here.