BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP — Alison N. Dunn, 16, and her younger brother, Deven M. Dunn, 12, both of Seneca, will be greatly missed by their peers, teachers and school personnel who knew them.
A preliminary investigation by the La Salle County Sheriff's Office indicates Alison was driving northbound on Illinois 170 at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, when, for unknown reasons, her vehicle crossed the southbound lane of traffic, entered the west ditch, re-entered the roadway and was struck by a southbound semitrailer driven by Kevin Corrigan, 34, of Seneca.
Corrigan was transported to Morris Hospital by ambulance. Alison and Deven, a passenger in Alison's vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Dalton Misener, a senior a Seneca High School, was one of two people to arrive at the scene moments after the collision. He said he was a few miles away when the accident occurred and all he saw was the semitrailer turn where there was no road.
Dalton called police when he arrived at the scene. He and the other witness then found blankets to cover the victims.
"I honestly had no idea who it was," Dalton said about seeing the bodies. "I didn't actually find out until about 10 o'clock."
He knew of Alison, he said, but did not know her personally.
"It made me realize cars are not that safe," he said. "Coming up on bodies was not what I expected to do this morning."
Dalton left the scene around 8 a.m., but did not continue to the school. He took the day off.
"It is a very solemn day," he said.
Alison was also a student at Seneca High School. Deven attended Seneca Grade School.
"He was a well-liked young man," Seneca Grade School District 170 Superintendent Eric Misener said about Deven. "He will certainly be greatly missed."
Deven was in the fifth grade and had been in Dist. 170 since he was in preschool, Misener said.
"There is a large number of students this incident has impacted," Seneca Township High School Superintendent Mark Thurwanger said. "We express our condolences to the family."
Counseling services are available at both schools, north and south campuses, in Dist. 170 as well as at Seneca Township High School.
A letter was sent to parents of high school students informing them of the accident and giving them advice on how to support their children as they cope with the loss.
The letter explained to parents that Seneca Township High School has its Crisis Management Team, as well as volunteers from the La Salle County School Counselor Assistance Team, providing support to students.
"Your student may have some unresolved feelings to discuss with you," the school's letter to parents stated. "You can help your student by listening carefully, accepting the feelings expressed, not overreacting and answering questions honestly, according to your beliefs."
Students may experience difficulties as a result of tragic incidents, including withdrawal and isolation, physical complaints, depression and sadness, school problems, sleep disturbances and questions about death and dying, the letter stated.
Counselors and social workers can be reached at Seneca High School at (815) 357-5000 anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The incident is under investigation by the La Salle County Sheriff's Office, a La Salle County Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstructionist, the Illinois State Police and the La Salle County Coroner's Office.
Misener said Alison and Deven had one older brother, Tim.
Misener had not yet heard of any memorial services for the children.
Morris Herald-News