A tragic accident on the early morning of January 19th near West Lake Avenue and Pfingsten Road in Glenview has claimed the lives of three individuals. Among the victims are Wesley “Wes” Beitler and Bryce Reinhard, both recent college graduates from Aurora who were lifelong friends since elementary school. The third victim remains unidentified. This heartbreaking incident has left a community mourning the loss of two promising young men.

The collision occurred around 4:30 AM when a single vehicle skidded off the road, lost control, hit a tree, and subsequently caught fire. Emergency responders found the car engulfed in flames with three people inside. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. Jeremy Reinhard, Bryce's father, identified his son and Wes Beitler as two of the victims. They were driving from Chicago to the north suburbs to drop off a woman, believed to be the third victim.

Beitler and Reinhard were not only close friends but also accomplished individuals with bright futures ahead. Bryce Reinhard, a computer science graduate from the University of Iowa, had just started his career as a computer programmer and ran a successful 3D printing business. His father described him as a family-oriented individual who enjoyed outdoor activities like mountain biking and jet skiing. On the other hand, Wes Beitler was an athletic standout, breaking records in cross country running during his high school years at Waubonsie Valley. He later attended Indiana State for cross country before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Tennessee. Beitler had embarked on a career as a financial planner at Thrivent Financial.

Friends and family members have taken to social media to honor the memory of these two remarkable young men. Kyle Beitler, Wes's brother, shared that Wes had always been a role model, emphasizing the importance of faith and family. Another friend recounted how Wes introduced him to religion, significantly impacting his life. Both families have scheduled visitation and funeral services to pay tribute to their loved ones. The community is rallying together to support the families during this difficult time, reflecting on the lives and legacies of Wesley Beitler and Bryce Reinhard.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. While the exact cause remains unknown, the impact of this loss will undoubtedly resonate within the community for years to come. Friends and family continue to cherish the memories of these two exceptional individuals, whose lives were cut short far too soon.