Insurance agent hit by car, dies
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Paul P. Kaczmarzyk, 82, was pronounced dead at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, where he was airlifted after the accident on state Route 2 in front of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Kaczmarzyk was walking west across Route 2 around 10:30 a.m. when he was struck by a southbound car driven by Nathaniel S. Bates, 20, of Rockford, police Chief Darin DeHaan said.
DeHaan did not know Tuesday whether charges will be filed.
“We don’t have any indication that the driver was driving recklessly or at a high rate of speed,” he said. “At this point, we think the driver was looking to the east toward the church, watching a group on the curb to see if they were going to cross, and he didn’t see Kaczmarzyk in front of him.”
Once the investigation is complete, DeHaan will turn over his findings to Ogle County State’s Attorney Ben Roe, who will determine what, if any, charges will be filed, he said.
Kaczmarzyk was the grandfather of Chelsy Janssen, 22, of Mount Morris, who was injured Aug. 20 in an explosion and fire that severely burned her fiance, Thomas Jones, 25, of Oregon.
Janssen suffered second-degree burns attempting to help Jones, who was engulfed in flames. He remains at St. Anthony.
