Two 16-year-old boys killed in crash with semi in western suburbs

Two teenagers were killed in a crash with a semi truck Saturday evening in rural Kane County.

A 1979 Peterbuilt semi hauling corn was southbound on Meredith Road, approaching Beith Road in unincorporated Virgil Township, about 5 p.m. when a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup heading west on Beith stopped at the stop sign, according to the Kane County sheriff’s office.

After stopping, the pickup pulled into the intersection and was struck by the semi, which did not have to stop at the intersection, according to the sheriff’s office.

After the vehicles collided, both rolled over, taking out a utility pole and power lines near the intersection.

The driver of the pickup, 16-year-old Arthur Stenger of Montgomery, and his passenger, 16-year-old Elijah Vajgert of Maple Park, were both pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.

The driver of the semi, a 60-year-old Burlington man, was treated at the scene.

The intersection was closed after the crash for investigation as ComEd repaired the power lines, according to the sheriff’s office. No tickets have been issued.

On Monday, autopsies were conducted and the cause of death is pending further investigation, the Kane County coroner’s office said. Toxicology samples were sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis.