15-05-2025
Police release new details about UTV crash that took life of Clinton County teen
Macy M. Haar, a 16-year-old junior at Breese Central Community High School, was driving a Utility Terrain Vehicle, or UTV, during the crash that led to her death, according to the Clinton County Sheriff's Department.
The incident involved multiple vehicles occupied by teenagers, including the 2023 Solaris Ranger UTV that Haar was driving and a second UTV driven by a juvenile, according to the latest news release issued Monday by the sheriff's department. A UTV is a type of all-terrain work or recreation vehicle also known as a side-by-side.
Friday was 'Alternative Vehicle Day,' an event sponsored by Central's student council and Future Farmers of America chapter. The website says that on these days, 'students that have CHS driving privileges are invited to parade to school in a mode of transportation that is beyond (their) normal vehicle.'
The fatal crash happened after they left the Central High School parking lot. Haar died after the UTV she was driving lost control and hit a ditch. She was ejected from the vehicle, the release says.
The sheriff's department released the following details about the crash, which were derived from multiple witness statements:
Multiple vehicles, including the two UTVs, left the school's parking lot just before 3 p.m., headed east on Old U.S. Highway 50, then turned south on Drive In Road in rural Breese. The vehicles were driving at or near the speed limit.
Haar was carrying a passenger in her Ranger UTV. Four other teenagers occupied the second UTV.
The UTV Haar was driving started out in front of the other vehicles. It will be called 'the first UTV' below.
Roughly a half mile south of Highline Road, Haar's UTV began swerving for unknown reasons.
The other UTV tried to pass, but the Ranger accelerated.
The second UTV managed to pull in front and Haar braked hard 'as, or just before the (second UTV) merged toward the southbound side of the roadway.'
Haar lost control of the Ranger UTV.
A Chevy Silverado, driven by a 16-year-old, was trailing Haar and swerved to avoid a collision. It pulled toward the other side of the roadway, sustaining damage when doing so.
As the Silverado skidded out of control, the Ranger UTV hit a ditch and ejected Haar onto the roadway.
The Clinton County Sheriff, in an earlier release, said emergency personnel arrived 'within minutes' of receiving a 911 call reporting the crash, and that Haar died before they arrived.
Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Team continues to investigate.
It's not known if those in the UTVs were wearing helmets or seatbelts, or if the teenager driving the Silverado was wearing their seatbelt. Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous did not respond to BND's two attempts to reach him on Monday.
Dustin Foutch, the superintendent of Central Community High School District 71, said Haar's death is tragic, adding that the junior always seemed to have a smile on her face whenever he saw her.
Foutch said that the school tells students they need to have street-legal vehicles on Alternative Vehicle Day, which includes a tractor parade. Foutch said participating students meet at a tractor supply store, at which point police escort the parade of tractors to the school. This is a common tradition put on by FFA chapters in rural areas, Foutch said.
At the end of the day, those who brought tractors to school are dismissed at a different-than-usual time to avoid traffic with other vehicles in the lot, Foutch said.
The UTVs are not street legal in Illinois and Clinton County ordinance provide none of the allowable contingencies by state statute.
A petition was started on urging the school district to stop alternative vehicle days in response to the crash and Haar's death. As of Monday evening, the petition had 112 signatures. The petition's description says it was started by the sister of one of the students involved in the crash.
'Alternative Vehicle Day might seem like an entertaining way for students to display their creativity and vehicles, but the reality is grim,' the petition states. 'Each year, there are reports of accidents, some unfortunately resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. The excitement and joy quickly turn to chaos and heartbreak, affecting not only the immediate families and friends but the entire community of Clinton County, Illinois. ...
'It is time to reevaluate whether such events are worth the possible consequences. Our goal with this petition is straightforward and crucial — cease the organization of Alternative Vehicle Day at Breese Central High before more tragedies unfold.
The petition includes an upate that says the school will no longer have Alternative Vehicle Day. When asked about this, Foutch told the BND that the district will evaluate how to be more specific on what vehicles can and cannot be used on these days.
Central Community High School will have an e-learning day on Wednesday, May 14, to allow students and staff the opportunity to attend Haar's funeral. The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. that day at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown.
The school's counseling staff and the Coping 4 Life team are available to help students, along with the school's faculty and staff, says a district Facebook post.
'Macy was an incredible young person whose beautiful smile and giving spirit touched everyone she met,' the post reads. 'Her unforgettable personality and kindness made a lasting impact at Central, and she will be missed by all who knew her. Macy truly made our school, and the world, a better place.'
