UPDATE: Person killed in I-94 fiery Racine County crash believed to be man who killed Rockford woman
Updated: 2:36 p.m. April 26, 2018
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- A 30-year-old man, who investigators say was in the United States illegally, is named as the person who killed a Rockford woman on April 20. The suspect is also believed to be the man killed in a fiery crash in Racine County, Wisconsin, that same day.
During a news conference Thursday afternoon, Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said Elmer Aguilar, a native of El Salvador, is responsible for the death of Destiny Tolodxi, 24.
Tolodxi's sister discovered her body the afternoon of April 20 in their Atwood Avenue home. Her cause of death is listed as blunt force trauma to the head and face. She also had a skull fracture and broken nose. Investigators believe she died sometime between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. April 20.
Caruana and Deputy Chief Mike Schultz say Tolodxi knew Aguilar was stalking her, but she did not tell family or friends that she was scared.
On Wednesday, April 18, Caruana said Tolodxi drove Elmer to a class in Belvidere, and during that ride she ended their relationship. At 5:30 a.m. April 20, Tolodxi left the home of an ex-boyfriend and was texting on her cellphone. Less than two hours later, a neighbor claims to have seen Elmer's vehicle at Tolodxi's home on Atwood Avenue. Between 7:21 a.m. and 7:49 a.m., Elmer made calls to friends and family making statements about an incident with Tolodxi. Over the next hour, Tolodxi's car was caught on camera violating tolls on Interstate 90, Interstate 296 and Interstate 94 between Illinois and Wisconsin. At 9:20 a.m., Tolodxi's car was involved in a fatal crash on I-94 in Racine County, Wisconsin. The lone person inside the vehicle died in that crash. Tolodxi's body was discovered at 3:47 p.m. at 609 Atwood Avenue.
While exact identification has not been made, Caruana said Aguilar is believed to be the person who died in the crash on I-94 in Wisconsin. The cause of death is listed as blunt force trauma to the head and torso.
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Updated: 5:20 p.m. April 21, 2018
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Winnebago County, Illinois Deputy Mike Schultz confirms to CBS 58 that the car involved in the crash was registered to a woman who was found dead in Rockford.
WIFR-TV says 24-year-old Destiny Tolodxi was found dead in a bedroom. The death is suspicious and being investigated as a homicide. An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 24.
The identity of the body found dead in the car after the crash and fire in Racine County is unknown.
Winnebago and Racine Counties will be working together on Monday to identify the body which was badly burned.
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Updated: 2:56 p.m. April 20, 2018
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- All lanes on I-94 east/south in Racine County have reopened after Friday morning fatal crash.
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Updated: 2:26 p.m. April 20, 2018
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In a release, the Racine County Sheriff said they were called to a crash around 9:20 a.m. Friday morning between a car and excavator on I-94 south near 3 Mile Road in Raymond.
Once Deputies arrived the car and excavator were on fire.
A witness told officials that the car was driving south when the driver's side front tire fell off forcing the car to pull to the left going through construction barricades where it hit an unattended excavator and burst into flames.
The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene and was the only person in the car.
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Updated: 12:48 p.m. April 20, 2018
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine County Medical Examiner has been called out to I-94 south near County Highway K indicating that the crash was fatal.
The right lane on I-94 south has re-opened but the left lane will remain closed for a crash investigation.
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Posted: 9:59 a.m. April 20, 2018
RACINE COUNTY (CBS 58) – All lanes are blocked on Interstate 94 south of County K due to a fire in a work zone.
The fire was reported around 9:20 Friday morning.
Traffic is being detoured off of I-94 southbound at County K to the West Frontage Road.
I-94 North is down to one lane because of the crash.
Extensive delays are expected.
Around 10:45 a.m. delays were reaching over an hour.