Rockford police officer put on leave for role in crash
ROCKFORD — A 13-year veteran of the Rockford Police Department who was involved in an alcohol-related auto accident Monday in Boone County was placed on paid administrative leave today.
And one of four people injured in the accident was surprised to learn that the offender is an officer.
Daniel A. Cruz, 37, of Machesney Park was off duty at 9:20 p.m. when he was traveling south on Beloit Road and passing an Oldsmobile Bravada in a no-passing zone on a hill.
While in the northbound lane, Cruz saw a northbound Chevy pickup approaching, a Boone County Sheriff’s Department traffic report said. Cruz attempted to get back in the southbound lane but struck the driver’s side of the Oldsmobile, which went into a ditch and rolled several times in a field before landing on four tires.
Cruz’s vehicle then struck the driver’s side rear axle of a trailer towed by the northbound Chevy pickup. Cruz and that driver, Russell Kindberg of Machesney Park, were uninjured.
Motor group integrates new brands into local dealerships
Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) is rolling out the MG and Maxus brands in South Africa using seven existing dealerships, says CMH CEO Jebb McIntosh .
“We integrated MG into our existing dealers to ensure we save on overhead expenses.”
Both the MG and Maxus brands belong to the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corpor-ation (SAIC). CMH at the end of last year signed an agreement with SAIC to import and distribute both badges in South Africa.
Maxus is a commercial vehicle brand, with its roots in British van manufacturer, LDV. MG, the once iconic British brand, is the abbreviation of Morris Garages, named after the father of MG, William Morris. MG focuses on passenger vehicles.
CMH will introduce a Maxus minibus and a pick-up locally, says McIntosh.
He adds that the group hopes to build the MG brand in South Africa, similar to the build-up seen locally with the Korean brands, such as Kia.
As for the waterless car wash system that CMH introduced at all its dealerships during the 2012 financial year, McIntosh says it has accumulated a saving of 100-million litres of water a year.
