A north central Illinois gay man has died from injuries he sustained during a Feb. 28 tornado that devastated the city of Ottawa.
Peoria Journal Star reported that David Johnson died from head trauma March 1, the day after he was struck by an uprooted tree during the tornado. Johnson had reportedly pushed his husband, Toby Tuntland, out of the way when the tree came down on the couple as well as Tuntland’s father, Wayne.
Wayne Tuntland was killed instantly in the incident. Johnson was eventually taken to OSF Saint Francis Peoria, where he died the next day, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. Toby Tuntland was treated for injuries and released from OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.
The tornado hit Ottawa at about 4:45 p.m. Feb. 28 and was one of several to wreak havoc throughout the state.
An online fundraiser was formed in order to assist Toby Tuntland, who did not have insurance, and the family.
Peoria Journal Star’s article is at BIT.LY/2MJSRTF. The gofundme page is at www.gofundme.com/e52yb-david-johnson-jr.