Everett Wengstrom Killed in Manteno Motorcycle Accident

Personal Injury - July 31, 2026

Everett Wengstrom, 46, Died in Kankakee County After His Motorcycle Hit Cement Blocks Left on 6000 North Road by 3000 West Road

MANTENO, ILLINOIS (July 31, 2026) – A 46-year-old man identified as Everett Wengstrom was killed in a Manteno motorcycle collision near the intersection of 6000 North Road and 3000 West Road.

Kankakee County officials are saying that the incident occurred shortly after 6:30 PM on Wednesday. Everett Wengstrom was heading down the road on a motorcycle when he hit cement blocks left in the roadway.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the injured victim. Unfortunately, Everett Wengstrom was beyond medical assistance and later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

It remains unclear who may have left cement blocks in the roadway. A full investigation by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Illinois Accidents Involving Road Debris

Every driver in Illinois owes a duty of care to the other people that they share the road with. This duty requires that any and all cargo they are transporting is properly secured and not likely to become a hazard. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/15-109 (b), “No person shall operate on any highway any vehicle with any load unless said load and any covering thereon is securely fastened so as to prevent said covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.” There are several ways that a driver may have acted negligently after a cement block ended up in the roadway.

  • Failure to Secure: A driver may have failed to properly secure a cement block with a chain or other appropriate restraints.
  • Improper Restraints: A driver may have used undersized or improperly rated cargo-securing equipment.
  • Damaged Vehicle: A driver may have been transporting cement blocks or other cargo with a broken gate.
  • Failure to Stop: A driver may have kept going after a cement block or other item fell into the roadway.

If a driver does not adequately secure their cargo and allows it to become a hazard as road debris, they could be liable for any resulting injuries. There is simply no reason that a driver should ever have their cargo equipment come loose in the roadway. These incidents are nearly always the result of some amount of negligence. Liability for any accident involving road debris could extend to several parties. This includes any private or municipal employer that may have been transporting materials that ended up in the road. Any company responsible for loading a vehicle could also be legally responsible for a collision if they failed to properly secure cargo that came loose.

Steps To Take After Kankakee County Road Debris Accidents

Accidents involving loose road debris may seem like freak occurrences. These incidents are unfortunately quite common. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “Results suggest that road debris was a factor in an estimated average of 50,658 police-reported crashes (95% Confidence Interval: 42,066 – 59,250) which resulted in 9,805 injuries (7,714 – 11,896) and 125 deaths (104 – 144) annually in the United States over years 2011 – 2014.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any accident involving loose road debris.

  • Police Report: Any police report created after the accident should be reviewed. These reports can offer important insights into how a crash took place.
  • Source of Debris: The source of the debris that caused a serious collision should be identified. The debris that caused the accident is a vital piece of evidence and must be secured as soon as possible.
  • Medical Records: All medical records related to a person’s injuries should be collected. These records can be useful for a variety of different reasons.
  • Independent Investigation: Any person injured in an accident involving road debris or their surviving family members should request an independent investigation by a team experienced in accident reconstruction and tort claims.

Accidents involving road debris can be absolutely devastating for all involved. Motorcycles are highly vulnerable due to their lack of outward protection. Any larger object can easily become a lethal hazard for a motorcyclist, particularly if they are traveling in the evening when there is reduced visibility. It is important for the victims of these accidents to understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through a civil action.

Investigating Kankakee County Road Debris Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Everett Wengstrom. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person who may have more information related to the source of the cement blocks left in the road should reach out to investigators. Many important questions have yet to be answered. Who did these cement blocks belong to? How, exactly, did they end up in the road?

Do you need more information about a Kankakee County road debris accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and fighting to protect those rights. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to get you the answers you are looking for if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident anywhere in Illinois. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular crash, we are here for you. You can contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.