Marmion coach dies in Campton Hills crash

A 25-year-old St. Charles man who recently became a football coach at his alma mater died in a one-car crash early Tuesday in Campton Hills.

The accident happened about 1:30 a.m. when a car driven by Daniel J. Jackson struck two trees and flipped over near Kings Mill Drive and Burlington Road, police said. Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He's going to be missed by a lot of people," said John Milroy, headmaster at Aurora's Marmion Academy, where Jackson was coaching his first season of high school football. "He brought a lot of passion to the weight room and the kids on the field."

Campton Hills Police Chief Greg Anderson said authorities were still investigating what might have caused Jackson's westbound vehicle to run off the north side of Burlington Road. The Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team is assisting, he said.

A relative described Jackson as "an all around good guy" who loved sports and took pride in coaching at Marmion Academy, a Catholic school for boys, where he played tight end before graduating in 2001.

After high school, Jackson went on to play football as a kicker and special teams member at downstate Quincy University. But he often thought of returning to his old school as a coach, said Jackson's brother-in-law Zig Cholewa of Batavia.

"It was his life's dream," Cholewa said.

Although Jackson had begun coaching just weeks ago, Milroy said he quickly showed promise in his ability to motivate freshman and varsity receivers, with whom he worked the closest, Milroy said.

"He was really coming along and had a bright future as a coach," said Milroy, who recalled having Jackson as a theology student in his high school days. "He shared with them (players) that he was a Marmion guy and what a special place it was."

Outside of coaching, Jackson "lived for the Cubs, the Bears and the Blackhawks," Cholewa said. "He'll be buried in a Cubs jersey. He was that big a fan."

Jackson, who was unmarried and had no children, lived with his parents, Karen and Michael Jackson. Cholewa said they learned of their son's death while aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean. He said they docked in Puerto Rico and were on their way home Tuesday.

Jackson also is survived by two sisters, Katelyn Jackson and Cholewa's wife, Megan.

Funeral arrangements are pending.