Steven Gavic Injured In Ogle County Car Accident on East McNeal Road

Truck Accident - October 16, 2025

Steven Gavic, 63, Injured After Being Run Over By Truck While Removing It From Ditch in Ogle County

MONROE CENTER, ILLINOIS (October 15, 2025) – A 63-year-old man identified as Steven Gavic was injured in an Ogle County car accident near the 1600 block of East McNeil Road.

Ogle County officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:18 PM on Monday. Steven Gavic was operating his 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when it stalled in a south ditch.

He attempted to push his truck out of the ditch when it unexpectedly restarted and ran him over. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident and helped the victim.

Steven Gavic was transported to OSF Saint Anthony Hospital in Rockford to receive treatment. A full investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing.

Product Liability for Car Accidents Caused by Defective Vehicles

Car manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are reasonably safe. They must abide by all federal safety regulations and routinely test their vehicles and all the ways that they will likely be used and even misused. If a car has a defect that causes it to inadvertently restart or accelerate towards the user, this could be a clear sign that there is a major defect with that vehicle. It could also form the basis of a product liability claim. There are several reasons that a vehicle may inadvertently restart.

• Faulty Transmission: A car may have a faulty transmission that causes it to lurch forward even if it’s been placed in park. This may happen if the shift linkage is improperly aligned.
• Faulty Clutch: A car may have a faulty clutch that fails to properly disengage when the pedal is depressed.
• Faulty Parking Brake: A car may have a faulty braking system due to fluid leaks or worn pads.
• Faulty Starter: A car may have some issue with the starter or bendix gear. As a vehicle is moving, this may unexpectedly drive the crank.

A number of car companies have faced lawsuits after their vehicles inadvertently pinned or ran over operators. Consider, for example, the tragic death of Roy Irwin. A 79-year-old man was run over and killed by his own 2023 Ford F-250 truck. Without any type of warning, the truck ran the victim over and ended up trapping him. He later died at the hospital. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the accident was a result of the vehicle’s defective transmission system.

Steps to Take After an Accident With a Defective Vehicle

Accidents where vehicles unintentionally roll forwards or backwards may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually quite common. According to one report by NBC Washington, an estimated 150 people are killed every year in the United States by vehicles that inadvertently rolled away. Grieving families of the victims are now calling for additional legislation to help prevent these types of accidents. It is important that certain actions are taken after any accident with a potentially defective vehicle.

• Evidence Preservation: All evidence related to the accident should be carefully stored and preserved. This includes the vehicle involved.
• Recall Notice: It should be determined if the vehicle involved was on any type of recall list.
• Medical Records: All of the medical records related to injuries should be carefully examined. They can provide additional clues to what went wrong.
• Independent Review: Any person injured in an accident with a potentially defective vehicle should seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can investigate the unique facts of what happened and help identify all liable parties.

The vast majority of accidents involving vehicles that roll away or inadvertently turn on are completely preventable. They tend to be the results of clear safety defects with the involved vehicle. Certain cars have been more susceptible to these issues than others. In particular, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Civic have been the subject of numerous cases where the cars inadvertently moved without operator input.

Investigating Ogle County Car Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Steven Gavic as he continues to recover. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered. Did a defect with the vehicle contribute to this accident? Is there a history of other Chevrolet Silverado trucks with the same problem?

Have you or someone you care about been injured by a defective vehicle in Illinois? You may have legal recourse. Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.