Aurora Man, 79, Dies After Five-Vehicle Chain-Reaction Crash on Ridge Road

5-vehicle crash kills Aurora man, two others hospitalized

An Aurora man died and two other people were seriously injured after a five-vehicle chain-reaction crash on Ridge Road last week, according to the Kendall County Sheriff's Office.

Erling Varland, 79, of Aurora, passed away on May 20 from injuries sustained in the crash that occurred the day before, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

The crash happened at approximately 4:50 p.m. on May 19 at the intersection of Ridge Road and Bell Road in Seward Township, just south of Route 52.

Preliminary findings point to left turn as trigger

Preliminary investigation findings indicate all five vehicles were traveling southbound on Ridge Road when one vehicle slowed to make a left-hand turn onto Bell Road. That maneuver triggered a chain-reaction rear-end collision involving all five vehicles, according to the sheriff's office.

The roadway remained closed for approximately four hours while investigators documented the scene.

The Kendall County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Minooka Fire Protection District, the Troy Fire Protection District, and the Channahon Fire Protection District.

Investigation ongoing

The Will County Coroner's Office is working alongside the sheriff's office on the investigation. The cause and manner of death are still pending, according to the release.

Two other individuals involved in the crash were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. Their identities have not been released.

Sheriff's office investigators continue to conduct a detailed crash investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

"The cause and manner of death are pending further investigation by the Will County Coroner's Office," the sheriff's office said in its release.