In Loving Memory of Kelly Wooten and Jacklyn Bradley

In Loving Memory of Kelly Wooten and Jacklyn Bradley

WADSWORTH, Ill. — With profound sorrow and heavy hearts, we pause to remember and honor the lives of Kelly Wooten, 51, and Jacklyn Bradley, 45, both of Stoughton, Wisconsin, whose lives were tragically taken in a devastating three-vehicle crash on Thursday morning.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the collision occurred at approximately 7:05 a.m. along Illinois Route 173, just west of North Kilbourne Road in Wadsworth. Deputies, alongside crews from Newport Township Fire Protection District, responded swiftly to reports of a serious head-on crash involving a sedan, a semi-truck, and a minivan.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a 2009 Acura sedan, driven by Kelly Wooten, was traveling eastbound when witnesses observed the vehicle appearing unable to maintain its lane. The sedan drifted into oncoming traffic and into the path of a westbound Freightliner semi-truck operated by a 25-year-old driver from Evergreen Park. The impact was catastrophic. Moments later, an eastbound Honda minivan driven by a 54-year-old Wisconsin woman collided with the Acura.

In an instant, lives were changed forever.

But beyond the flashing emergency lights and investigative details are two vibrant women whose stories cannot be defined by tragedy alone.

Kelly Wooten, 51, was a woman known for her strength, warmth, and dedication to those she loved. Those closest to her describe a person with a steady spirit and a generous heart — someone who showed up for family and friends without hesitation. She carried herself with quiet resilience and was deeply devoted to the people who mattered most in her life.

Jacklyn Bradley, 45, brought light wherever she went. With a compassionate soul and a kind smile, she had a way of making others feel welcome and understood. Her presence was comforting, her laughter contagious, and her love unwavering. She valued connection and friendship, nurturing bonds that will now carry her memory forward.

Both women called Stoughton, Wisconsin home — a community now grappling with grief and disbelief. Their sudden passing has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Morning routines have been replaced with mourning. Plans and dreams have been interrupted by heartbreak.

The stretch of Route 173 where the crash occurred is one traveled daily by countless commuters. On that Thursday morning, it became the site of unimaginable loss. First responders worked with urgency and professionalism, doing all they could amid devastating circumstances. Their efforts reflect the compassion shown in moments when communities face their darkest hours.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the crash, one truth stands above all else: Kelly and Jacklyn were deeply loved. Their lives mattered. Their stories extend far beyond a single morning.

In times like these, we cling to memory. We remember shared holidays, heartfelt conversations, inside jokes, quiet acts of kindness, and the everyday moments that now feel sacred. We remember the strength in Kelly’s character and the gentleness in Jacklyn’s spirit. We remember the way they cared for others and the love they gave so freely.

Though their time here ended far too soon, the impact they made will endure. Love does not disappear with loss — it transforms into remembrance, into legacy, into the quiet strength that carries families forward even in grief.

To their families, may you find comfort in one another and in the outpouring of support surrounding you. To their friends, may the memories you shared bring both tears and smiles in the days ahead. And to the communities of Stoughton and Wadsworth, may compassion and unity guide you through this sorrow.

In loving memory of Kelly Wooten and Jacklyn Bradley — your lives were precious gifts, your presence was a blessing, and your memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved you.

May you rest in peace, and may your light continue to shine through all who carry you in their hearts.