University student injured in car accident

By Aaron Navarro

Last updated on April 16, 2021 at 02:36 a.m.

A University student is in a serious condition after a car accident near Galena, Ill.

According to a press release from the Stephenson County sheriff’s office, 19-year-old student Justin Blazek, of Bartlett, Ill., and the driver, 19-year-old Michael Coleman, of Hanover Park, Ill., were involved in an accident involving multiple vehicles due to icy conditions Monday morning.

At 8:16 a.m., the Stephenson County sheriff’s department was called to the scene along U.S. Route 20, about half a mile west of Damier Road. An investigation determined that Arsalan Uddin, 29, of Glendale Heights, Ill., was driving a black Honda Prelude in the westbound lane and passed another vehicle. His vehicle then lost control on the icy roadway first crashed with a tree which requires simple windshield repair. Then the car sideswiped a maroon GMC Yukon in the eastbound lane driven by 43-year-old Tina Buske from Stockton, Ill. The Yukon lost control and crossed into the westbound lane, making contact with the green Saturn Coleman was driving.

Coleman was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries from the incident. Blazek was airlifted to Rockford Memorial Hospital in serious condition.

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Uddin and Buske were both treated and released from Freeport Memorial Hospital. Uddin has been ticketed for reckless driving, improper passing and driving too fast for conditions.

The accident remains under investigation Tuesday, according to the Stephenson County sheriff’s office.