Richard Wayt, Kathleen Wayt Died In Will County Garbage Truck Accident

Truck Accident - February 26, 2025

Richard Wayt, 77, Kathleen Wayt, 63, of Frankfort, Illinois Tragically Died in Will County Garbage Truck Accident That Injured Four Others on U.S. 45 Near Peotone

Richard Wayt, Kathleen Wayt Died In Will County Garbage Truck Accident

WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS (February 26, 2025) – Two people identified as Richard Wayt and Kathleen Wayt have tragically died in a Will County semi-truck accident on U.S. 45 by Offner Road.

Will County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:19 AM on Thursday. A garbage truck was involved in a collision with a vehicle transporting Richard Wayt and Kathleen Wayt.

It remains unclear if any other vehicles were involved. Richard Wayt and Kathleen Wayt were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Four other people were taken to local area hospitals in order to receive care. A full investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Will County Garbage Truck Accidents

Trucks account for a relatively small number of the total vehicles on the roadway. But they are involved in a disproportionately high number of fatal collisions. According to the IIHS, “Most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. The main problem is the vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.” There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.

  • Truck drivers should always check their blind spots before making turns in the roadway.
  • Truck drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
  • Truck drivers should ensure that their vehicles are routinely inspected and adequately maintained.

Truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license. They are expected to operate their vehicles with a great deal of care in order to avoid collisions. They must travel at a safe speed at all times and maintain a safe distance with all vehicles ahead of them. A large portion of truck accidents are caused by truck drivers that make unsafe maneuvers in the roadway. It is important that evidence is properly collected after any truck accident.

  • Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
  • Photos of the accident site should be taken.
  • Work records from the truck driver involved should be reviewed.
  • The police report for the collision should be examined.

If a truck driver fails to exercise due care and collides with another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is also possible that a municipality could be liable for a truck accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition with the roadway. For example, foliage may have blocked or obstructed key traffic signs or lights. It is important that truck accidents are properly investigated in order to determine all potentially liable parties.

Investigating Will County Garbage Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Richard Wayt and Kathleen Wayt. It is our sincere hope that the other four victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to Illinois State Police. There are so many questions about what happened that remain unanswered. County officials should do their part and examine if any measures can be taken to help make this particular stretch of road safer so that other tragedies may be avoided.