Accident ends in deaths, DUI

By Greg Rivara

The driver of the car involved in an early Saturday morning collision with a train, in which two people were killed, is being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Two passengers in the car driven by John P. Denton, 22, 630 N. Annie Glidden Road, Apt. 202, were killed when the car apparently drove around a flashing railroad gate and was broadsided by the train, DeKalb Police said.

Denton is in serious condition after being flown by helicopter to St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. Additional charges against Denton are pending.

Katrina M. Tabor, 20, DeKalb, was pronounced dead at the scene by DeKalb County Chief Deputy Coronor Earl Tischler. Jamie L. Tucker, 21, Sycamore, was pronounced dead after arriving at St. Anthony Medical Center by helicopter.

The three were northbound on Seventh Street at about 2:14 a.m. when Denton apparently ignored the railroad’s flashing lights and drove around the lowered gate.

A westbound Chicago and Northwestern freight train struck the Oldsmobile Toronado and dragged it about five blocks before coming to rest near the Second Street railroad crossing.

The incident is being investigated by DeKalb Police and the DeKalb County Coronor’s Office with an inquest pending.