Route 72 crash kills one

A head-on collision between an SUV and a semi tractor trailer on Route 72 left one dead and another injured Thursday afternoon.

Ryan Easterbrooks, 36, of Kingston was driving his SUV west on Route 72 near New Lebanon Road at about 3:40 p.m. when he crossed the center line and struck the eastbound semi truck driven by Simon Barouta of Glenview, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.

Easterbrooks was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Barouta's truck was on fire when rescue workers arrived.

He was airlifted by Flight for Life to St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Hampshire Fire Chief Curt Kramer commended bystanders for their efforts to help Barouta until paramedics arrived.