The small, close-knit community of Galena and Benton, Wisconsin, is grappling with sorrow following a tragic head-on collision that claimed the life of a 64-year-old man on a dark stretch of U.S. Route 20. The victim, identified as Aleksandr Avanesov of Benton, was killed Thursday night after his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic, underscoring the sudden and devastating reality of night-time driving on this challenging rural highway.
The initial reports pouring into the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office around 8:17 p.m. painted a grim picture: a serious crash had occurred near Galena, prompting a rapid response from deputies and emergency crews. When first responders finally reached the scene, they were met with a chaotic mess of wreckage. Two severely damaged vehicles—a Chrysler and a late-model Rivian—were discovered, one blocking the eastbound lane of U.S. 20, the other violently pushed into a roadside ditch.
Investigators quickly pieced together the sequence of events. Avanesov had been traveling westbound when, for reasons still under intense scrutiny, his Chrysler suddenly crossed the double-yellow line and plunged into the eastbound lane. He then slammed head-on into the Rivian, which was being driven by 42-year-old Patrick Jung of Galena, who had his passenger, Rhea Jung, with him. The impact was so severe that it inflicted massive front-end and driver-side damage to the Chrysler, forcing it completely off the road.
Emergency medical personnel worked tirelessly to provide aid to all involved. Sadly, while the occupants of the Rivian—Patrick and Rhea Jung—were evaluated right there at the scene and thankfully did not require hospitalization, Mr. Avanesov’s injuries were far more critical. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, he tragically succumbed to his injuries a short time later. His death leaves a painful void for his family and friends.
The crash site, located northwest of Oldenburg Lane, immediately became an intensive investigation zone. Deputies quickly shut down the area to allow accident reconstruction specialists to document every detail, collect evidence, and clear the significant debris field.
This closure was necessary, but it served as a stark reminder to locals of the inherent dangers of this specific stretch of U.S. Route 20, which has unfortunately seen its share of serious collisions over the years, often attributed to limited lighting and tricky, winding curves.
With no citations or charges immediately filed, the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit, has launched a thorough investigation. They are now painstakingly trying to determine the why—what caused Avanesov’s vehicle to drift so fatally into the opposing lane. Everything is on the table, from potential factors like driver fatigue and mechanical failure to road conditions at the time of the incident.
In the wake of this profound tragedy, authorities are extending their deepest condolences to the family of Aleksandr Avanesov. They are also urgently appealing to the public for any information. If you happened to witness the crash, or if your vehicle’s dashcam captured footage around 8:17 p.m. that Thursday night, you are strongly urged to reach out to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. For everyone else on the road, this devastating loss is a heartbreaking call for constant vigilance: drive alert, obey the speed limits, and exercise extreme caution, especially when visibility drops after the sun goes down.
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