Minnesota couple killed in fiery crash on Illinois freeway

Article by: TIM HARLOW , Star Tribune
Updated: December 28, 2007 - 12:54 AM

A Minnesota couple were among at least 3 people who were killed in a fiery chain-reaction accident in Illinois.

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A Minnesota couple returning to Florida, where they spend winters, was killed Wednesday when a semitrailer truck rammed the back of their car in a construction zone on a rural Illinois freeway.

Donald Rautio, 67, and his wife, Faye, 65, most recently of New Hope, were among at least three people who died in the fiery accident involving seven vehicles on southbound Interstate Hwy. 39 near Ottawa in La Salle County, a spokesman for the Illinois State Police said. Had it not been for the potential of bad weather Wednesday, the Rautios might not have been involved in the crash. They had visited relatives in Minnesota for the holidays and left the Twin Cities at 5 a.m. to get ahead of the snow, which put them at the site of the crash at 1:18 p.m., said the Rautio's son, Eric, of Mounds View.

According to the Illinois State Police, a semitrailer truck carrying potatoes failed to slow down in a construction zone where vehicles were merging from two lanes into one. The semi rear-ended one car, sending it into the median, where it rolled. The semi then plowed into the Rautios' car, which hit a fourth vehicle that burst into flames. The semi also caught fire and spilled 45,000 pounds of potatoes. Three other vehicle, including a second semi, also were involved in the chain-reaction crash.

Eric Rautio, 38, said his parents died at the scene but their dog survived.

The police spokesman said authorities are looking into whether to charge the trucker.

Eric Rautio said his parents were "young and healthy and had one grandson they were very proud of." His father played in three softball leagues near their retirement home in the Villages, Fla., and his mother was heavily involved with the League of Women Voters.

Donald had been a principal at Adams and Morris Bye elementary schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Faye helped establish the early childhood education programs in the Robbinsdale School District, Eric Rautio said.

The couple lived on the Iron Range before moving to New Hope 25 years ago, Eric said, and often spent summers at their cabin on Lake Vermilion.

He said a memorial service is being planned at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church after New Year's, and another service will likely be held later in Florida.