Tampico teen ID’d as driver killed in crash Monday on Prophet Road

ROCK FALLS – The driver who died Monday after colliding with a semi tractor-trailer on Prophet Road was 17-year-old Alexandria N. Cannavo of Tampico, Whiteside County Coroner Joe McDonald confirmed in an email this morning.

Cannavo lost control of her car going around a curve and collided with a Rock River Lumber and Grain semi driven by Ricky J. Chapman, 61, of Fenton, around 9:30 a.m. Monday on Prophet just west of Luther Road, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office said. The car then caught fire.

Chapman had no time to take evasive action, and no citations are pending, the sheriff’s release said.

Cannavo was a senior at Erie-Prophetstown-High School, where she was a straight-A student and played softball and basketball. She also worked at the Break Room Pub N Grub in Tampico and Little Caesars in Rock Falls.

“Alex was smart, independent, and a hard worker,” the Break Room posted on its Facebook page. “We truly have never met another 17-year-old like her. We will miss her witty comebacks, her sarcastic tone, her constant ability to make us laugh and help others.”

Her softball teammates also are mourning.

“Alex - we will forever keep you in our hearts,” the EP Panthers posted on their Facebook page.

“We will miss you more than anything. We will miss your contagious laugh, your competitiveness, your dedication to our team ... This season we will ‘Play for Alex’ in your honor.”

Among others, she is survived by her father and brother, Chad and Shawn Cannavo, and her paternal grandparents, Steve and Sue Sheffler, all of Tampico. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Go to www.garlandfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.

A GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses has been established; go to https://tinyurl.com/y4f66a4n to donate. T-shirts and decals also are being sold; find Petals for Eads on Facebook to order.