Crime & Safety
Northern Illinois: 2 Rockford Bicyclists Killed in Separate Crashes Tuesday Oct 21
Rockford, IL – Two bicyclists, including a 12 year old boy and a 58 year old woman, were killed in separate crashes involving trucks in Rockford on Tuesday, Oct. 20, just hours apart, with one driver
By Nolan Pierce · 2026-10-21T16:45:38.036Z
Rockford, IL – Two bicyclists, including a 12 year old boy and a 58 year old woman, were killed in separate crashes involving trucks in Rockford on Tuesday, Oct. 20, just hours apart, with one driver now facing multiple criminal charges.
According to the Rockford Police Department , the first fatal collision occurred at approximately 10 a.m. in the 500 block of Welty Avenue, where officers responded to a reported crash involving a truck and a bicyclist.
When officers arrived, they found a 58 year old woman lying in the roadway.
She was transported to a local hospital but died a short time later.
Second Fatal Crash Involves 12 Year Old Boy
Approximately seven and a half hours later, at 5:30 p.m., officers responded to another truck bicycle collision in the 900 block of 11th Street.
This time, the victim was a 12 year old boy.
The child was transported to a local hospital, where he died from injuries sustained in the collision.
Police have not publicly identified either victim in the release.
Driver Charged in Child's Death
Following an investigation into the second crash, the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office authorized multiple charges against Brian Knittel, 61, of Rockford.
Knittel faces allegations of reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, two counts of aggravated driving under the influence and multiple traffic offenses.
He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail.
The charges relate to the collision involving the 12 year old boy, not the earlier crash involving the woman.
Investigations Continue
Rockford police have not announced criminal charges in connection with the first collision.
Authorities say additional charges or arrests remain possible as investigations continue.
Anyone with information can contact Rockford police at 815 966 2900 or Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815 963 7867.
All criminal charges are allegations, and Knittel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.