Police: Cause not clear in fatal pileup near Elburn

Accident investigators Tuesday continued to probe a nine-vehicle pileup near Elburn that killed a St. Charles couple over the weekend, but had yet to determine a cause.

Wade Thomas, 44, and Denise Thomas, 45, were killed riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle Saturday morning as part of a larger group of riders headed to Wisconsin on Route 47.

About 8:40 a.m., a car crash in the oncoming lane sent one vehicle into the Thomases' path, causing a massive pileup that put six others in the hospital with minor injuries.

Lt. Pat Gengler of the Kane County Sheriff's Department said police were interviewing several witnesses to piece together what happened. He said there were no "immediately obvious" indication that alcohol or drugs were factors, but tests are pending.

"We're still trying to figure out all the details," Gengler said. "Was it just a situation where someone wasn't paying attention or was changing the radio station or talking on the phone? Right now, we're not sure."

Alia N. Bernard, 24, of Aurora, has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and Gengler said police "are not actively looking at additional charges at this time."

Police said Bernard was going south on Route 47 near Smith Road when her car rear-ended a Honda Civic, which was stopped in traffic behind a Cadillac. The impact pushed the Civic into the northbound lane where it crashed with the motorcycles. Bernard's vehicle then hit the Cadillac, which was waiting to turn left onto Smith Road.

Five people, including Bernard, were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. Also treated were Ryan M. Anderson of Elburn, Norman Turner of North Aurora, Jerome L. Bozonelos of Aurora, Mike D. Leather of Lisle, and Nichole Buschman of Lisle, police said. The Thomases died at the scene.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn.