Investigators in Racine Co. and Illinois work together after fiery crash linked to homicide

I-94 crash linked to homicide in Illinois

RACINE -- Racine County, Wisconsin and Winnebago County, Illinois investigators are working together to determine how a young woman wound up dead in Rockford, Illinois, and her vehicle crashed in Racine County on Friday, April 20.

Officials believe they know who was driving the vehicle that crashed on I-94 near County Highway K in Racine County Friday, but the body was so badly burned, they could not yet be sure as of Monday, April 23. Investigators did not have an official cause of death as of Monday. The crash happened after the vehicle struck a parked excavator in a construction zone and burst into flames. The male driver was killed. An autopsy in Racine County Monday left many questions unanswered.

Car strikes excavator on I-94 in Racine Co.

Deputy Chief Mike Schultz, with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

"The problem with identifying the victim at this point is because of how badly the body was burned, it's my understanding DNA will be time-consuming, and getting the information back from the Crime Lab as far as comparisons," said Deputy Chief Mike Schultz, with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

FOX6 News has learned the vehicle involved was registered to a woman found dead the same day in Rockford, Illinois. A GoFundMe.com account has been set up for Destiny Tolodxi, and reads "Destiny Tolodxi was murdered on April 20. She was 24." She studied nursing, and recently began working at a hospital.

Destiny Tolodxi

Racine County officials are working with Winnebago County, Illinois investigators to piece together this puzzle.

Car strikes excavator on I-94 in Racine Co.

Destiny Tolodxi

Again, officials have a good idea of who they believe the Racine County crash victim to be. They're looking into reports a tire left the vehicle, leading to the crash. At this point, there's no evidence of tampering or foul play.

"It's consistent with some of the information we've received concerning the vehicle, some incidents that took place prior to the incident occurring on Friday," said Schultz.

The GoFundMe.com account set up for Tolodxi says her death was senseless, horrific and preventable -- with friends and family calling it a murder. An official cause of death hadn't been released as of Monday.

"A family member had gone to the house to check on her sister because she hadn't heard from her all day. Upon arrival, found her deceased in her bedroom," said Schultz.

Schultz said there's evidence to indicate she was murdered.

"There was a considerable amount of blood that was on scene, and there was some markings on her body, but nothing to lead us to absolute, concrete conclusions of what the cause of death was at this point," said Schultz.

Car strikes excavator on I-94 in Racine Co.

The investigation is ongoing.