8-year-old child dies in car accident on rural road east of Oregon

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – An 8-year-old child was killed Friday, May 19, when the car he was riding in overturned several times on a rural road east of Oregon.

Conner Ewald was pronounced deceased at the scene after the 5:46 p.m. accident, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

According to the sheriff’s department release, deputies responded to the 5500 block of South Watertown Road for a single vehicle rollover accident.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that a northbound vehicle being driven by Abbey Ewald, 32, of Rochelle, traveled off the east edge of the roadway. The vehicle then overturned multiple times before coming to a rest,” according to the release.

“Abbey Ewald was transported to KSB Hospital by Oregon EMS for treatment of serious injuries. A passenger in the vehicle, Conner Ewald, age 8, was pronounced deceased at the scene. This accident remains under investigation with charges pending. Deputies were assisted at the scene by Oregon Fire/EMS,” according to the release.

Two connected Polo businesses – Gateway Big Box Resale and Kim’s Gateway Antiques –celebrated their one-year anniversaries April 28 with ribbon-cuttings. From left are Mark Scholl, Polo City Clerk Sydney Bartelt, First State Bank branch manager Pam White, Polo Mayor Doug Knapp, Polo Chamber of Commerce Vice President Tamela Merdian, co-owners Jodi Horner and Shannan Haenitsch, store employee Sheala Wells, Chamber member Namiko Sheely and Chamber Secretary Megan White.

Two connected Polo businesses – Gateway Big Box Resale and Kim’s Gateway Antiques –celebrated their one-year anniversaries April 28 with a ribbon-cutting. From left are First State Bank Branch