Did missing driver cause fatal Elburn crash?

An unidentified driver might be to blame for a two-vehicle crash that killed a commercial airline pilot late last year in Elburn, police said Wednesday.

Elgin resident George W. Glitzow, 53, a former U.S. Navy pilot who flew for Northwest Airlines, died of multiple blunt force trauma two days after the Dec. 18 crash, which took place about 10:20 a.m. on Route 38 at Anderson Road.

At a Kane County coroner's inquest Wednesday, Elburn Police Chief Jim Linane said it appeared Giltzow swerved into oncoming lanes of traffic to avoid a pickup truck that made an abrupt turn in front of him from eastbound Route 38 onto northbound Anderson Road.

Giltzow suffered severe head injuries when an oncoming 1998 Buick Century traveling about 55 mph tore into the passenger side of his 2002 Mazda.

"The penetration was severe enough, the Buick actually penetrated halfway into the Mazda," Linane told the coroner's jury. "Had it not been for the action of the truck driver ... I do not believe we'd be sitting here today. That vehicle was the most responsible."

Linane said searches for the pickup truck, described by multiple witnesses as having a trailer carrying landscaping tools, came up empty. He said it's possible the driver didn't realize there was a crash.

Deputy Coroner Amy Renwick said Giltzow's body had no traces of alcohol or illegal drugs. He died after being removed from life support, according to his wishes, she said.

Giltzow's death was ruled an accident. Two passengers in the Buick had minor injuries.