Rockford auto mechanic killed in workplace accident

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Kurt’s Service Center on 1510 Cunningham Street tragically lost 55-year-old Dennis Modloff, an auto mechanic, in a workplace accident involving a hydraulic vehicle lift.

According to the Winnebago County Coroner, around 10:30 a.m., Modloff was working beneath a Jeep parked on top of the hydraulic vehicle lift when the rear axle’s jack stand moved. This event caused him to be pinned between the lift’s ramp and the Jeep.

At 11:10 a.m., another employee found Modloff and called 911. Rockford Fire and Rockford Police both responded to the scene but determined he was beyond resuscitation.

Winnebago County Coroner’s staff pronounced him deceased at 12:10 p.m.

Following an autopsy, the coroner said the preliminary results showed Modloff died of blunt trauma to the head.

Kurt’s Service Center recently celebrated its 50th year in business on July 11th.

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