Sugar Grove man dies in 4-vehicle crash
By Steve Lord slord@stmedianetwork.com January 24, 2013 11:40AM
Updated: February 26, 2013 6:29AM
DEKALB — A Sugar Grove man died Wednesday night in a four-vehicle collision in which the driver of a semi-truck was charged with aggravated drunken driving.
Ryan E. Martin, 34, of the 200 block of Maple Street, Sugar Grove, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 6 p.m. on Route 23, South of Lloyd Road, between Genoa and Sycamore, the DeKalb County sheriff’s office said.
Martin was northbound on Route 23, followed by two other vehicles, when a semi-truck traveling south crossed the centerline and struck Martin’s car, deputies said.
The semi driver, Howard Castleman, 44, of the 2900 block of Sunnyside Road, Rockford, was treated and released at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb.
Police said Castleman was charged with one count of aggravated drunken driving, one count of drunken driving and improper lane usage.
A passenger in Martin’s car, Michael J. Roberson, 18, of the 200 block of Main Street, Sugar Grove, was treated and released at Kishwaukee Hospital, deputies said.
The cars driving behind Martin’s car also were involved in the crash. The drivers of both of those cars, as well as one passenger, all were treated and released at Kishwaukee Hospital.
The DeKalb County sheriff’s office, coroner’s office and state’s attorney’s office are continuing to investigate the accident. The Sheriff’s Department said “further charges are pending.”
