Joshua Kleba Killed in DeKalb County Car Accident
Maria Convers-Carvajal cited for failing to yield in fatal three-vehicle crash on Route 23
Joshua Kleba, 22, was killed in a three-vehicle crash at the corner of Route 23 and Melms Road, Illinois, on Wednesday, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
Maria Convers-Carvajal was cited for failing to yield after her vehicle entered the intersection from Melms Road and struck a northbound car. The initial impact forced both vehicles into Kleba's southbound car, investigators said. Convers-Carvajal's vehicle caught fire, but passengers escaped and were airlifted to a Rockford hospital. A 1-year-old suffered minor injuries, and the driver of the second vehicle was hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Kleba was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the state recorded 1,178 traffic deaths in 2024 from 1,085 fatal crashes. Speed was a factor in 45.3% of fatal crashes and 31.1% of all crashes.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a multi-vehicle collision leaves families facing immense grief and complex liability questions. While authorities continue to investigate the sequence of events on Route 23, independent legal examinations often run parallel to traffic proceedings.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Driving while exhausted severely impairs reaction times, often leading to sudden lane drift and severe multi-car pileups on major interstates. Unraveling the exact order of impacts takes detailed forensic work."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney collects electronic data and guides surviving relatives through the overwhelming legal aftermath following a tragic roadway loss," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Why did the vehicle fail to yield on Melms Road?
Investigators will review skid marks, vehicle data recorders, and sightlines at the DeKalb County intersection to determine why the driver pulled into the path of oncoming traffic. Establishing clear liability is a critical step for families seeking accountability after a fatal crash.
What are the legal options for Kleba's family?
When a driver is cited for a traffic violation that results in a death, the victim's family may have grounds to pursue civil action regardless of the traffic court outcome. Independent investigations help preserve important evidence before it is lost from the crash scene.
Illinois wrongful death statute
Under 740 ILCS 180, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Illinois applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society, and grief.
"Roadway documentation can help preserve conditions that may matter after a fatal crash, especially when traffic or weather quickly changes the scene," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney can help surviving relatives protect photographs and other records while arranging an independent review, giving families support during grief, insurance questions, and financial uncertainty after loss."