$3 million settlement in crash that killed Kaneland students who were best friends
A $3 million wrongful death settlement has been reached in a 2016 crash that killed two Kaneland High School students who were best friends.
The settlement is the maximum insurance policy limit for the pickup truck driven by Arthur Stenger, who died in the Nov. 5, 2016, crash with his passenger, Elijah Vajgert of Maple Park, according to Kane County court records.
The two 16-year-old juniors were killed when the pickup driven by Stenger, of Montgomery, pulled out in front of a grain-hauling truck and was struck on Meredith Road near Beith Road.
Vajgert's family sued for damages after the crash and in a settlement approved last month by Judge Mark Pheanis, acknowledged that the settlement offer was for the auto insurance policy limit and "no reasonable basis" existed to pursue additional liability against Stenger's estate or family, according to court records.
Vajgert's parents and siblings will split about $2 million from the settlement after their law firm, Kinnally & Flaherty, takes its share, records show.
The families also have established memorial funds. Donations to the Elijah Vajgert Memorial or the Arthur Stenger Memorial may be sent to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.