Student crashes en route to classes
By Nate Bloomquist
On only her third day of classes at IVCC, freshman Christy Capazzoli was awakened with a jolt. As she drove southbound on route 251 toward the college on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 19, she collided with a truck as she turned East on to Richard Moyle, Sr. Highway.
"I just didn’t see him," said Capazzoli of the northbound truck. "It was just one of those things."
Capazzoli, a graduate of La Salle-Peru High School was ticketed for failure to yield.
The truck, driven by 45-year old Gene Redmen of Streator flipped over twice and landed upside down according to the Oglesby police report. In order to remove Redmen from his truck, the jaws of life were needed. After he was removed from the truck, he was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
"I was just worried about him," the 18-year old freshman said. "His truck looked pretty bad and I hoped he would be OK."
Capazzoli exited from her `95 Pontiac Grand Am without the aid from a police officer. Both drivers were treated and released at Illinois Valley Community Hospital.
"The seat belt and air bag in the car really saved me," Capazzoli said. "I would’ve been much worse if I didn’t have those."
Capazzoli was shaken after the accident occurred.
"I have never been in an accident before," she said. "I think it will be awhile before I drive again."