Two students die in crash on I-90 in Illinois

Two UW–Madison students died Sunday night when their vehicle crossed an Interstate 90 median and collided head-on with a semi-tractor trailer.

“It is with great sadness that I report the tragic deaths of two University of Wisconsin–Madison students in an Illinois traffic accident last evening,” Dean of Students Mary Rouse said Monday, Nov 15.

Related story: Memorial service, funeral set for Houze, Webster

Authorities identified the victims as 24-year-old Dylan Houze, a second-year law student, and 20-year-old Heather Webster, an engineering student who had just been admitted to the College of Engineering’s chemical engineering program.

Houze and Webster were returning to Madison after a weekend visit with Webster’s sister in Chicago. The accident occurred about 8:45 p.m. about a mile south of the Rockton Toll Plaza near Rockford, according to the Winnebago County coroner’s office.

The coroner’s office said Houze was driving the vehicle. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. Toxicological test results are pending. Seat belt information was not available.

Rouse said assistance and support, including grief counseling, will be made available to students and other members of the university community through the Dean of Students Office, 263-5700, and Counseling and Consultation Services at University Health Services, 262-1744 or its after-hours crisis line at 265-6565.

Funeral arrangements should be finalized within the next couple of days, Rouse said. She indicated that a memorial service will probably be held on the campus as well.

For more information on the accident investigation, contact District 15 of the Illinois State Police at (630) 241-6800.