Authorities have released the names of two men killed last week during a head-on crash on a state highway in Wauconda.

Kyle J. DeKruif, 25, of Island Lake, and Montana R. Brown, 24, of Gurnee, were killed in the incident, which occurred early Thursday morning on Illinois 12, according to the Wauconda Police Department. Car accident reports do not list any additional injuries.

Police said the preliminary investigation suggests DeKruif was driving south in the northbound lanes of Illinois 12 at about 2:15 a.m. when he collided head-on with delivery truck. Brown was a passenger in DeKruif’s vehicle, according to car accident reports.

Both DeKruif and Brown were pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck. It’s unclear whether the driver of the delivery truck, whose name was not released by investigators, suffered any injuries as a result of the collision.

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not said why DeKruif was driving against traffic, nor have they said whether factors like speed or intoxication are thought to have contributed to the incident.

Several of DeKruif’s loves ones posted tributes to the late Island Lake man on Facebook.

“I will miss the way you could light up a room and capture everyone’s hearts without even trying,” wrote one woman, who described herself as DeKruif’s cousin.

DeKruif’s obituary said he enjoyed “music, cars, food and vacationing with his family.”

“He will be remembered for his huge heart, contagious smile, booming voice, big bear hugs and caring personality,” loved ones wrote.

Disclaimer: The Accident News article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.

The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Accident News’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.

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