An NIU student was killed in a car collision Friday in Virgil Township.

Kane County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Illinois Route 38 and Meredith Road at 5:35 p.m. Friday for a report of an accident involving NIU students Carrie E. Hilliker, 18, of Bradley, and Kevin McKenna, 18, of Elk Grove Village, according to a Kane County Sheriff’s Department press release.

The Toyota Corolla that Hilliker was driving was headed north on Meredith Road at the intersection of Route 38. Hilliker proceeded into the intersection and was struck by a Mitsubishi Gallant heading east. That vehicle was driven by an Elgin woman.

“We’re still trying to figure out if [Hilliker] stopped or went though the stop sign,” said Lt. Pat Gengler, public information officer for the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver of the Mitsubishi stated to sheriff’s deputies that she swerved to attempt to avoid striking the Toyota. When the driver again entered the east-bound traffic, the passenger rear side of her vehicle made contact with the front of Hilliker’s vehicle, according to the release.

“It looks like she was trying to go around [Hilliker],” Gengler said. “They collided and the car headed east continued to go off of the road.”

A loaded tractor trailer was also heading east and was unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with Hilliker’s vehicle, according to the release.

“[Hilliker’s] side of the vehicle took the brunt of the collision,” Gengler said. “There were two crashes: the Toyota and Mitsubishi, and the second was the Toyota and the semi.”

Hilliker was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove in critical condition and was later pronounced dead, according to the release.

McKenna was transported to Delnor Hospital in Geneva in critical condition.

“I have not gotten any updates,” Gengler said. “Either his status has improved or there’s no change. If there was a change in status, I would have been notified.”

Gengler said McKenna’s injuries are not life threatening.

“As a case like this, that could change pretty quick,” Gengler said. “I haven’t heard anything different so that means it hasn’t turned into a fatality.”

As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, McKenna was still in critical condition, according to a Delnor Hospital representative.

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