Subaru Forester struck Chrysler Pacifica at Essington Road intersection in Joliet
May 05, 2026 | Joliet, IL
A tragic four-vehicle accident in Joliet claimed the life of 73-year-old Marilyn Hertko and left two others with serious injuries.
Marilyn Hertko, 73, of Joliet died after a Subaru Forester collided with a Chrysler Pacifica and two other vehicles at Black Road and Essington Road in Joliet.
What Happened in the Crash?
Police reports detail that Marilyn Hertko, a Joliet resident, was driving her Subaru Forester eastbound on Black Road at an excessive speed around 4:18 p.m. on May 5. Her vehicle collided with a northbound Chrysler Pacifica driven by a 53-year-old local woman, who was making a left turn onto Black Road on a green arrow at the Essington Road intersection.
The crash caused the Subaru to then strike a stationary Ford Explorer and Jeep Liberty, both stopped at a red light, before rolling over and coming to rest.
- Location: Intersection of Essington Road and Black Road, Joliet, Illinois
- Date and Time: May 5, approximately 4:18 p.m.
- Vehicles Involved: Subaru Forester, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Explorer, Jeep Liberty
- Fatalities: Marilyn Hertko, 73, pronounced dead at St. Joseph Medical Center
- Injuries: The Chrysler driver, a 53-year-old woman, and a juvenile passenger were hospitalized with extensive injuries, and the driver required extrication
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Excessive speed played a critical role in this collision, highlighting a common factor in roadway incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding contributes to about 26% of all fatal crashes nationwide.
Authorities are investigating additional potential factors, such as distracted driving, to understand the full circumstances.
Common Causes of Fatal Vehicle Accidents |
Percentage (NHTSA Data) |
Description |
|---|
Speeding |
26% |
Drivers exceeding posted limits increase crash severity and risk of death. |
Distracted Driving |
8% |
Activities like phone use divert attention from the road. |
Impaired Driving |
28% |
Alcohol or drugs impair judgment and reaction times. |
Failure to Yield |
20% |
Not giving the right-of-way leads to intersection collisions. |
This table underscores the preventable nature of many crashes, emphasizing the need for vigilant driving practices.
Legal Insights
In cases such as multi-vehicle crashes involving high speeds, independent investigations are essential to safeguard victims' rights.
“An attorney can collect the proper evidence to help prove that a driver’s actions were reckless, which requires a variety of resources,” said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst for Newsline. “Your lawyer can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide victims during this difficult time, while vigorously protecting their legal rights and best interests.”
- Key Takeaways from Legal Analysis:
- Conduct thorough evidence gathering, including witness statements and digital records.
- Protect against insurance pressures for low settlements.
- Ensure fair compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Pending investigation outcomes, the injured parties from Chrysler may pursue personal injury claims.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).