ANNAWAN – A fatal roll over crash was reported in Bureau County early Wednesday morning. According to the Illinois State Police, 24-year-old Jamal R. Rodgers of Chicago had his vehicle parked on the shoulder on I-80 westbound in the area of milepost 39 in Annawan, reportedly to adjust a blanket covering a broken passenger-side window. Authorities say when Rodgers re-entered the interstate, he was struck in the rear by 26-year-old Tijana Novakovic of Chicago. Rodgers vehicle then overturned and came to a rest on the ditch north of I-80. He was partially ejected from the vehicle and ruled deceased by the Bureau County Coroners Office. Four other passengers in Rodgers vehicle were all transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Novakovic was also transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. She was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and operating an electronic communication device while driving. The Illinois State Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit and the Bureau County Coroners Office continue to investigate the incident.
