Rockford, IL – A 15-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman face charges after a serious crash on Oregon Avenue that sent three people to the hospital, according to Rockford Police.
Police said officers responded to the 1900 block of Oregon Avenue after a car struck a tree. Inside, they found a 15-year-old female allegedly behind the wheel, with two passengers: front-seat rider Jessica Barnhart, 19, of Rockford, and another teenage passenger. All three were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
According to the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, Barnhart has been charged with permitting an unauthorized person to drive, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and child endangerment. She was booked into the County Jail.
The 15-year-old driver faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, transportation and possession of alcohol, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and other traffic violations. Authorities said she was released to a parent or guardian after treatment.
Police emphasized that the charges are accusations, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting RPDTIP to 847411, using the Rockford PD app, or contacting Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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