14-05-2025
Man charged with causing the death of a 2-year-old in Forest Hills crash
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford man has been charged with causing the death of a 2-year-old after a crash on Forest Hills Road in November 2024.
Police said the crash happened on November 14th, around 5:30 p.m., in the 5700 block of Forest Hills Road. The toddler was restrained in a car seat inside a van that was rear-ended by a pickup truck, the Winnebago County Coroner reported.
The initial collision caused the van to ram into another vehicle, officials said. The toddler was unresponsive when first responders arrived and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
Another child suffered severe injuries and is listed in critical condition, the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department reported.
Three adults were also hospitalized for what authorities called 'non-life-threatening' injuries.
The two-year-old was pronounced deceased about two hours later because of blunt-force trauma to the head, according to the Winnebago County Coroner.
After the investigation, police determined Tyler Morales,19, was using FaceTime and was under the influence of THC during the crash.
Morales is charged with aggravated DUI causing a crash and death, aggravated DUI causing a crash and bodily harm, aggravated use of a device causing death and reckless homicide with a motor vehicle.
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