January 16, 2012
By Jennifer Wheeler, Galesburg.com
WILLIAMSFIELD — A 34-year-old man was killed Sunday after his
father likely accidently shot him in the head while hunting deer in
Knox County.
Steven Hayworth Jr., 34, Washington, was pronounced dead at the
scene, while the father, Steven Hayworth Sr., 59, Trivoli, sustained
injuries for a non-firearm related issue, according to Knox County
Sheriff David Clague.
Clague said 911 dispatchers received a call of a hunting accident
around 3 p.m. Sunday near 2345 Knox County Road 1750 N. in
Williamsfield. When they arrived, Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas
pronounced the son dead, and the father was transported to OSF St.
Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. The father was treated Sunday and
released, said Carrie Bernett, hospital marketing and public
relations coordinator.
Clague said the father and son were hunting with a friend about
one-quarter of the mile from the road. The preliminary investigation
has determined that two of the individuals were stationary, while
one person was the “walker,”
or the person who attempts to flush out the deer for the others to
shoot.
The father and son were located at least 400 yards away from one
another.
The father fired at the deer but missed and fatally shot his son
once in the head, Clague said.
“The shooter and victim couldn’t have seen each other,” Clague
said.
He added that lay of the land and timber made it nearly
impossible for the two to see each other. Officials have no reason
to believe there was foul play, Clague said.
The victim’s autopsy was scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois
Conservation Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Department. The
Illinois State Police Crime Scene Service assisted in the accident.
