Multi-Million-Dollar Verdict in Fatal 2018 Crash in Winnebago County
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill.—A jury awarded $67 million on Sept. 30, 2025, to the families of two individuals killed in a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 20 in 2018.
According to court documents, Fred Krischon, 88, and Ruthie Fairchild died as a result of the accident, which occurred around 1:45 p.m. on May 20, 2018. Bob Krischon, Fred's son, sustained severe injuries but survived. He reported being trapped in the vehicle as it caught fire after the collision.
The accident happened when Mary Norman's vehicle, traveling westbound, collided with a semi-truck owned by Panera Bread and driven by Eluid Valencia. Witnesses reported that Norman's vehicle then veered into the eastbound lane, striking the Krischon vehicle head-on.
Following the crash, Bob Krischon was airlifted to a local hospital and treated for multiple injuries, including a broken heel and collapsed lung. His lawyers argued that Valencia was inadequately trained and should have recognized the truck's “off-tracking” potential.
The lawsuit filed in 2018 claimed negligence against both Valencia and Norman. The verdict stipulated $15 million for each deceased individual's estate and $37 million for Bob Krischon.
Family attorney Patrick Salvi II emphasized the need for corporate responsibility in employee training to prevent future tragedies, thanking the jury for their recognition of the family's loss.