DeKalb man dies in collision after car struck by a semi truck with a 53-foot trailer

DeKALB - A DeKalb man is dead following a traffic collision involving a semi truck with a 53-foot-trailer at the intersection of Gurler Road and Route 23 Monday, according to officials from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Clifford Hammett, 62, of DeKalb, was pronounced dead on the scene by first responders, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. His wife, Cathy Hammett, who was driving, was transported by DeKalb County EMTs to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hosptial with non life-threatening injuries. Authorities reported that Clifford Hammett was not wearing a seatbelt.

According to the sheriff’s office, Vlatko Temelkoski, 54, of Sterling Heights, has been charged with disobeying a traffic control device in relation to the incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. Monday.

According to DeKalb County Sheriff’s officials, Temelkoski was driving a 2013 Freight Liner semi truck with an attached 53-foot trailer east on Gurler Road when he disobeyed a stop sign at the Route 23 intersection. When his truck entered the intersection, it struck a Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Cathy Hammett, officials said. Clifford Hammett was the passenger.

After the collision, both vehicles ended up in a nearby northeast field. The accident remains under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office.