MALTA – A woman killed in a deadly, weather-related car crash Wednesday west of Kishwaukee College campus on Route 38 was a student there, the college confirmed Thursday.
Millacent K. Miller, 20, of the 1300 block of West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, was enrolled in her first semester at Kishwaukee College, where she began taking classes in January, said Kayte Hamel, executive director of marketing and public relations and the Kishwaukee College Foundation.
Posts on the colleges Facebook and Twitter included a statement of Miller’s death.
“It is with deep sadness that we share that one of our students passed away,” the post reads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Millacent’s friends and family.”
The post also said counseling and support services are being made available for those who wish to utilize them in Student Services on campus and additional support will be made available for the college community in mourning.
The campus remained open as Wednesday’s snowfall continued into Thursday evening. A second statement issued Thursday morning, explained the decision to keep the campus open, saying it was made cooperatively with surrounding K-12 school district superintendents and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
“We monitor weather and road conditions closely and take into consideration the safety of our students and staff,” the post reads. “Kishwaukee College, like other local schools, made the decision to remain open today based on the information we received. Students and staff are encouraged to exercise caution when making the individual decision to travel during the winter months.”
The post also says students should work with their academic advisors regarding absences.
Miller died in a crash on Route 38 just west of Malta Road when she lost control of her car due to the snow and slippery road conditions, according to a news release from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. The release states Miller was not wearing her seat belt.
The crash was west of the campus, though the entrance to Kishwaukee College from Route 38 was closed temporarily Wednesday evening as first responders blocked a portion of Route 38 from Willrett Road to Malta Road to work on the crash.
Around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Miller’s silver Chevrolet Sedan was headed eastbound on Route 38 when she lost control of the car, crossed the center lane and hit an oncoming red Dodge pickup truck, according to the news release.
The driver of the pick-up attempted to avoid the collision but could not, the release states. He suffered minor injuries and was released by paramedics on the scene.
The pickup truck collided with the driver’s side of Miller’s vehicle, causing significant damage.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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