Rockford woman dies after car she is driving is hit by car attempting to flee police

Online Staff Report

A 58-year-old Rockford woman is dead after the car she was driving was struck by a vehicle attempting to flee police Sunday, Feb. 24, at the intersection of North Alpine and Brendenwood roads in Rockford.

Shortly after 12:15 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, members of the Rockford Police Department were dispatched to Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, in reference to subjects in the parking lot breaking into cars. While officers were responding to the call, a Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy who was in the area located the possible suspects and a suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the church.

The suspects fled from the area in the suspect vehicle southbound on North Alpine Road. The suspect vehicle was involved in a traffic accident at the intersection of North Alpine and Brendenwood roads. The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Karen Shafer, 58, of Rockford. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:51 p.m. An autopsy showed her cause of death was blunt trauma to her chest and abdomen.

Holy Family Church said in a statement: “Our hearts are broken by the tragic and unnecessary death of one of our beloved parishioners, Karen Shafer. We are coming together, as parish families always do, to do whatever we can to help Karen’s family in their time of grief and loss. We ask thecommunity to join us in prayer for Karen, her family and all those who are innocent victims in our society.”

The three occupants of the suspect vehicle were also transported to local hospitals for treatment. The burglary and traffic accident remain under investigation.

Posted Feb. 25, 2013