Crime & Safety
Monday Crash on Route 38 Takes Life of Maple Park Woman
Shanay Martin, 32, of Cortland, is killed after her vehicle crosses the center line in order to avoid a rear-end collision, according to a release from the Kane County Sheriff's Office.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic crash that took place around 11:50 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, near the intersection of Route 38 and Watson Road near Maple Park.
Shanay Martin, 32, of Cortland, IL, was pronounced deceased at Delnor Hospital following the two-vehicle crash.
Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Pat Gengler said the initial investigation indicates that a 2000 Mercury Marquis driven by Martin was traveling west on Route 38 east of Watson Road, approaching a line of cars that were stopped waiting for a vehicle to turn south onto Watson.
In an effort to avoid striking the rear of the last car that was stopped in the line of traffic, the Mercury crossed over into the oncoming lane of traffic and was struck by a 1987 Chevrolet pickup driven by Benjamin Frerichs, 35, of Maple Park that was traveling east on Route 38.
Frerichs was treated at Delnor for non-life-threatening injuries.
Both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. The Kane County Office of Emergency Management and Elburn Police assisted sheriff’s deputies at the scene.
Route 38 was closed between Meredith Road and Watson Road while the crash was being investigated.
