Fundraisers available for Polo man critically injured in head-on collision Thursday

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POLO – Fundraisers are ongoing for a Polo man who suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries in a head-on collision Thursday.

Thomas “Tommy” Knipple, 31, is in critical condition at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

According to a GoFundMe page created by family friend Joshua Shirley, and Facebook updates from other friends and family members, Knipple was undergoing his sixth and seventh surgeries Monday, with more in the offing.

He is the husband of Anna Knipple and the son of Edie and Gary Knipple of Polo.

Go to https://tinyurl.com/2t926pe2 to donate and for updates. Money raised will help pay medical expenses.

In addition, Trisheena Sturtz is selling #KinppleStrong decals, $10 each. Find her on Facebook for details.

Other fundraisers are being created. Find Anna - Point Knipple on Facebook for the details.

Knipple was injured around 7:45 a.m. in the 13000 block of Milledgeville Road, when his pickup was struck by an oncoming SUV driven by Timothy M. Alba, 37, of Sterling, that crossed the center line.

Alba was killed in the collision.

Although no illegal activity is suspected, as a matter of course, an autopsy was conducted, said Lt. James Messer of the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.

Results likely won’t be available for six to eight weeks.


Kathleen Schultz

Kathleen A. Schultz

Kathleen Schultz is a Sterling native with 40 years of reporting and editing experience in Arizona, California, Montana and Illinois.