KENDALL COUNTY, IL (May 19, 2026) — A 79-year-old Aurora man, Erling Varland, died following a multi-vehicle crash near Minooka, according to the Kendall County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities said the crash occurred on May 19 at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Ridge Road near Bell Road when a southbound vehicle slowed to make a left turn and was rear-ended by another vehicle. The initial impact triggered a chain-reaction collision involving a total of five vehicles.
Varland was transported to a local hospital after the crash but succumbed to his injuries the following day, officials confirmed.
Two other individuals were also taken to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
