Accident occurs in Boone County

BOONE COUNTY – On Monday, Aug. 10, at approximately 4 a.m., the Boone County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2300 block of Shattuck Road for an accident involving a pickup truck and a pedestrian.

The Boone County Coroner has identified the pedestrian as Marc Thomas Bell Bender, 18. Bender is from Marengo, Ill.

Preliminary investigation shows that the pickup truck was traveling north on Shattuck Road at which time it struck an unknown object in the road.  The driver of the pickup truck stopped and called the sheriff’s office once he realized that a pedestrian was down in the roadway.

The Illinois state police were contacted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office for assistance and have assumed responsibility for the investigation.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the Boone County coroner.

The preliminary results from the forensic autopsy performed on Aug. 11 show the cause of death to be crushing injury of the chest, head, and neck. This death remains under investigation of the Boone County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.

Bender’s vehicle was found disabled approximately a half mile from where he was struck.

At this time, it appears poor visibility due to fog in the area may have played a part in the incident.

Anyone with further information regarding the incident may call (815) 978-7440.