Sycamore, Ill. — The quiet rural stretch of Airport Road in DeKalb County became the scene of sudden heartbreak Tuesday evening when 66-year-old Peggy A. O’Neil was struck and killed while crossing the road near her Sycamore home. What began as a routine walk turned tragic around 5:45 p.m. in the 21000 block of Airport Road, where deputies say O’Neil was attempting to cross the pavement when a sedan hit her.
Neighbors described O’Neil as someone who often took walks in the close-knit rural community. On this Tuesday, however, the walk ended in a rush of emergency lights and life-saving efforts that could not change the outcome. Sycamore Fire Department paramedics transported her to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, where she later died from her injuries.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the stretch of Airport Road south of Barber Greene Road as sheriff’s deputies documented the scene. According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the driver — a 36-year-old man from Sycamore — stayed at the scene and has been fully cooperating with investigators, offering what authorities described as “complete cooperation.”
Though the driver has not been identified publicly beyond his age and hometown, officials stressed that no citations or charges have been issued as of Wednesday afternoon. With the investigation still active, deputies and the DeKalb County Coroner’s Office are piecing together the final moments leading up to the crash.
Friends and family of O’Neil have struggled to find words since the news broke. In a community where faces are familiar and daily walks are common, her sudden death has left many reflecting on how fragile life can be. “Peggy was a fixture around here,” one neighbor shared. “You always saw her out and about. It’s hard to believe she’s gone.” (Local remarks synthesized from community responses seen online.)
Local law enforcement reiterated that the investigation remains ongoing, asking anyone who may have witnessed the moments before the crash or who has dashcam footage of the area around 5:45 p.m. to contact the Sheriff’s Office. Their goal is to understand every detail of what happened and provide clarity for a grieving community.
As word of O’Neil’s death spread through Sycamore and DeKalb County, many residents have taken to social media to honor her memory, expressing condolences to her family and calling for increased awareness of pedestrian safety on rural roads. In the coming days, the community is expected to gather for memorials celebrating her life and the quiet warmth she brought to those around her. (Community sentiment summarized from public reactions online.)
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