By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-04 04:05:45 | Updated at 2026-08-06 03:38:24
2 days ago
At least three members of a family, including a four-year-old girl, were killed in a crash after a driver attempting to pass other cars slammed into their vehicle.
The family was driving northbound on a highway just west of Chicago on Friday around 9.15pm when a driver going southbound in a pickup truck crossed into their lane and hit the family's SUV head-on.
Amy Witter, 38, was instantly killed. James Witter, 65, and a four-year-old girl were transported to hospitals in the area where they later died, according to the Kendall County Coroner's Office. All of the victims were from Des Moines, Iowa.
The little girl was not publicly named, but she was identified as Maddie in an online fundraiser for the family.
The fundraiser, organized on Monday, said that Amy's husband, Danny Love, was also killed in the crash, and that one of the family's other two daughters, Azari, is still 'fighting for life at a hospital.'
Authorities have not confirmed Danny's death.
Illinois State Police identified the driver of the pickup truck who allegedly caused the crash as 22-year-old Carson Rehkopf.
The initial collision led to a four-car pileup, and Illinois State Police said five people involved in the crash, including those who later died, were taken to hospitals.
A father, Danny Love, mother, Amy Witter, and their four-year-old daughter, Maddie, died in a car crash in Illinois Friday night, relatives said. James Witter, 65, was also killed, according to authorities
Danny is pictured with his little girl. Relatives announced he died in an online fundraiser on Monday, but authorities have not confirmed his death
Carson Rehkopf, 22, was identified as the driver who allegedly caused the crash. Police said he drove into the Witter family's lane to pass other cars and hit their SUV head-on
Rehkopf was booked into the Kendall County Jail on Sunday and charged with eight felonies, including six counts of aggravated DUI involving death and two counts of aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm, according to the jail's records.
The 22-year-old's mugshot shows him with his arm in a sling.
The Kendall County Coroner's Office said that forensic autopsies of the victims were scheduled to take place on Sunday to determine their causes and manners of death.
An update on the autopsies' findings has not been released.
The coroner's office added that Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate the crash and the victims' deaths.
Rehkopf had his first court appearance on Monday afternoon, according to jail records, though it is unclear if he has entered a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 17.
Danny Love and Amy Witter have three daughters. One of them, Azari, also suffered injuries in the crash and is still in the hospital fighting for her life, according to the online fundraiser
Love and Witter are pictured together in 2014
If convicted of his aggravated DUI involving death charges, Rehkopf faces potential sentences of three to 14 years in prison for each count, according to Illinois law.
He would also most likely be ineligible for parole, have his license revoked and could be fined up to $25,000.
Rehkopf's aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm charges carry potential sentences of one to three years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 if he is convicted.
