BREAKING: Tractor driver cited in hayride crash near Plano

UPDATED 4:35 P.M. MONDAY, OCT. 21:

There have been additional citations filed in an accident with multiple injuries involving a hayrack tractor ride near Plano.

According to a Monday, Oct. 21 statement from the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Gary M. Sleezer, 48, of the 12000 block of Andrew Street in Plano was issued a traffic citation for improper farm tractor operation. Police said that meant he was operating a farm tractor on a roadway when it was not being used in connection with farming operations.

Kendall County Sheriff’s Dep. Nancy Velez said it has yet to be determined whether the driver of the vehicle that hit the hay wagon was texting and driving. She said it also has yet to be determined whether the trailer lights were on.

Sheriff’s officials said the investigation is still pending.

There is still no confirmation from official agencies about the conditions of those involved in the crash.

Velez said in a Wednesday, Oct. 16 email that sheriff’s officials have no updates about the conditions of the 14 individuals involved in the crash that occurred about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12.

“We will send out updates of this incident as it becomes available,” Velez said in the email. “As of now, we have no further information to be released.”

Velez said inquiries regarding the incident may be requested via Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, request. Record Newspapers sent a FOIA request on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Little Rock-Fox Fire Protection District Chief Greg Witek said the 14 people in the crash were all sent to four area hospitals from the scene. He said the four hospitals were Northwestern Medicine Valley West in Sandwich, Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva and AMITA Health Mercy Medical Center in Aurora.

The update comes after a DeKalb woman was cited in the incident.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office said in a previous statement that Kaitlin Minick, 22, of the 800 block of West Hillcrest Drive, DeKalb, was driving west on River Road when her vehicle struck the back of the westbound hay wagon. Minick was treated and released at the scene.

Police said in the statement that Minick was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The investigation continues, according to the news release.

Kendall County Sheriff’s officials had said on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the investigation on the incident continues. Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird said the sheriff’s office is finishing up interviews and statements regarding the crash.

“[We will] hopefully have a clearer picture by the end of the week,” Baird said.

Sheriff’s officials said about a dozen passengers on the hayrack were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Witek said Sunday, Oct. 13, that fire officials were first dispatched to a crash involving a vehicle and hay wagon on River Road near Blackhawk Road. He said the vehicle rear-ended the hay wagon being pulled by a tractor and ended up upside down, and all 11 occupants of the hay wagon were ejected from the wagon.

Sleezer is due back in court 8:30 a.m.

Source: The Daily Chronicle