Benjamin Oberto’s Tragic Death Sparks Call for Safety Improvements on Dangerous Highway Ramp
The sudden and tragic loss of Benjamin Oberto, a 45-year-old Wisconsin man, has left his family, friends, and community reeling. Oberto’s death in a car crash on a notorious highway ramp in Crystal Lake, Illinois, has prompted his widow, Laura Leatherberry, to advocate for safety improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
On the night of November 13, Oberto had been dining at 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake before embarking on his journey home to New Berlin, Wisconsin. Tragically, he never arrived. His Subaru Impreza was discovered partially submerged in a creek at the bottom of an embankment on the Interstate 90 eastbound ramp to Interstate 294 northbound. Divers found Oberto’s body inside the vehicle, and authorities confirmed that the crash occurred on a curve along the ramp, a location with a history of similar incidents.
Leatherberry has since dedicated herself to researching other accidents that occurred in the same area and reaching out to state and federal officials to push for safety improvements. She believes that installing guardrails and better signage to warn drivers of the sharp curve could prevent future tragedies. While she acknowledges that there is no way to know whether such measures would have saved her husband’s life, she feels compelled to act to save others.
Oberto’s death has deeply affected his family, friends, colleagues, and the Crystal Lake restaurant community. He was a beloved figure known for his warmth and passion for the wine industry. Staff at 1776 Restaurant described him as more than just a business associate, saying, “Ben quickly became family to our staffers and gained many friendships with our guests over the years. He brought so much joy and laughter into our lives.”
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Massanois, LLC, and family friend Jennifer Powell has raised over $109,000 to help alleviate the financial burdens faced by Leatherberry and their family. The funds will assist with immediate expenses and provide long-term financial stability for Oberto’s family as they navigate life without him.
Leatherberry’s efforts to improve safety at the crash site are driven by her desire to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak. The ramp’s curve and lack of adequate protections have been implicated in previous accidents, underscoring the need for immediate attention from authorities. Her advocacy has brought the issue into the spotlight, highlighting the importance of infrastructure improvements to enhance road safety.
