[Correction made in headline thanks to reader comment.]
A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office:
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Double Fatal Motorcycle Crash
A 49-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both of Carpentersville, died Sunday following a mini-van versus motorcycle crash in the intersection of River Road and Charles J Miller Road in unincorporated McHenry Township.
Miller and River Road, McHenry
On Sunday, at 7:53 p.m., the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry Police Department, and the McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of River Road and Charles J. Miller Road.
Involved were a 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Van and a 2017 Harley-Davidson FLHTK Ultra Limited Motorcycle.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcycle, driven by the 49-year-old man, was traveling southbound on River Road and had the green light.
The van, driven by a 41-year-old Wonder Lake woman, was traveling northbound on River Road and was turning west onto Charles J Miller Road.
The driver of the van failed to yield to the motorcycle and the vehicles crashed in the intersection. Motorists were detoured for several hours while the crash was investigated.
The driver of the motorcycle was transported by ambulance to Centegra Hospital in McHenry, where he was pronounced dead.
The passenger of the motorcycle was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where she was pronounced dead.
The names of the deceased are being withheld until their families have been notified.
Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in this crash. There was no indication that the riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
The driver of the van was wearing a seat belt and airbags were deployed.
An investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit, the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
How the Hell can you miss a HD FLHTK Ultra right in front of you ?
Now two have paid the ultimate price.
RIP.
Were there any witnesses ?
Surely there must have been.
Both on the motorcycle died, not the van driver .
oh.
cal
Helmet wouldn’t have mattered. Hate this time of year when people are still to distracted to see a motorcycle. PUT DOWN YOUR PHONES people.
There were 5 children in the car.
A mother driving and a father in the passenger seat.
media is making assumptions and cannot even take in consideration the injuries the family in the minivan took.
Not a single one of you knows what happened so how dare you make assumptions based off of media.
Doesn’t matter anonymous.
It’s all senseless.
No report of any significant injuries to the family, Mr. Anonymous.
Maybe some bruising and certainly a lifetime of anguish ahead.
But how does that compare to two avoidable deaths another family and set of friends must cope with?
I ride.
People in mobile cages scare me at every intersection for this very reason.
At 7:53PM the headlights of that bike would’ve been very evident.
Tragic, sad and avoidable, distracted or not.
anonymous?
I know what happened.
People are totally engrossed in themselves and their own little world.
Others don’t exist.
They don’t love their neighbor enough to watch out for them.
They don’t have a clue how to drive defensively.
They are so jaded that they don’t understand they are commandeering a two to four ton weapon that can cause serious injuries.
They are in such a hurry and wrapped up in themselves that they would never consider driving as a perilous, at best, adventure.
They don’t have personal responsibility in their vocabulary; so why should they exercise any caution while driving?
She turned in front of another vehicle.
I am still waiting for the explanation.
Kids in the car, husband in the passenger seat means what???
She turned in front of a 1,000 vehicle.
Even if he was speeding- it is her responsibility to not turn unless safe to do so.
I am sure it was horrible for them as well.
Anonymous what assumptions are being made by the media?
I’m so sorry this inconvenienced the 5 children and two adults in the van.
We are all so worried about the injuries they sustained.
Are they going to live?
Because Dennis Spears and Tanya Schafer are both dead.
Why?
Negligence…
Yes they were actual people with names and lives,friends abd family.
I don’t think you could find a person on earth that had something bad to say about Dennis, and his wife was a great person.
So maybe you should come to their funeral this Saturday and see how bad the death of these two hurt an entire community of people.
I hope the driver is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and sits in prison.
And you sicken me with your bullshit…
The driver of the van & her family are alive.
Because of her negligence, she killed 2 people who have family & friends who loved them dearly.
Sorry, no sympathy for the driver here.
Pay attention when you drive.
@Anonymous…the family obviously weren’t hurt, because the media would cover that news as well.
Dennis & Tanya where hit-T-Boned. He had the right of way…the light was green.
She had a red. Makes me feel sick considering she caused it.
What type of mom would drive so recklessly with her children/spouse on board?
Dennis was an incredible man.
So smart.
Knowledge, math, science, politics, funny, musical genious,grammar, etc.
He was true to his word, and kept every secret I told him. He’s gone. I pity people who never met him. He was amazing.


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Motorcyclists Dead after Van Doesn’t Yield to Motorcyclist at River and Miller Roads in McHenry
Posted on 04/10/2017 by Cal Skinner
[Correction made in headline thanks to reader comment.]
A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office:
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Double Fatal Motorcycle Crash
A 49-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both of Carpentersville, died Sunday following a mini-van versus motorcycle crash in the intersection of River Road and Charles J Miller Road in unincorporated McHenry Township.

Miller and River Road, McHenry
On Sunday, at 7:53 p.m., the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry Police Department, and the McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of River Road and Charles J. Miller Road.
Involved were a 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Van and a 2017 Harley-Davidson FLHTK Ultra Limited Motorcycle.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcycle, driven by the 49-year-old man, was traveling southbound on River Road and had the green light.
The van, driven by a 41-year-old Wonder Lake woman, was traveling northbound on River Road and was turning west onto Charles J Miller Road.
The driver of the van failed to yield to the motorcycle and the vehicles crashed in the intersection. Motorists were detoured for several hours while the crash was investigated.
The driver of the motorcycle was transported by ambulance to Centegra Hospital in McHenry, where he was pronounced dead.
The passenger of the motorcycle was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where she was pronounced dead.
The names of the deceased are being withheld until their families have been notified.
Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in this crash. There was no indication that the riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
The driver of the van was wearing a seat belt and airbags were deployed.
An investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit, the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Posted in Accident, Carpentersville, McHenry, Miller Road, Motorcycle, Motorcyclist, River Road, Van permalink
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Comments
Motorcyclists Dead after Van Doesn’t Yield to Motorcyclist at River and Miller Roads in McHenry — 11 Comments
Honest Abe on 04/10/2017 at 4:46 pm said:
How the Hell can you miss a HD FLHTK Ultra right in front of you ?
Now two have paid the ultimate price.
RIP.
Were there any witnesses ?
Surely there must have been.
Zgone on 04/11/2017 at 8:27 am said:
Both on the motorcycle died, not the van driver .
Cal Skinner on 04/11/2017 at 9:18 am said:
oh.
cal
Inish on 04/11/2017 at 11:16 am said:
Helmet wouldn’t have mattered. Hate this time of year when people are still to distracted to see a motorcycle. PUT DOWN YOUR PHONES people.
anonymous on 04/11/2017 at 5:30 pm said:
There were 5 children in the car.
A mother driving and a father in the passenger seat.
media is making assumptions and cannot even take in consideration the injuries the family in the minivan took.
Not a single one of you knows what happened so how dare you make assumptions based off of media.
Cindy on 04/11/2017 at 7:02 pm said:
Doesn’t matter anonymous.
It’s all senseless.
eminclake on 04/11/2017 at 8:22 pm said:
No report of any significant injuries to the family, Mr. Anonymous.
Maybe some bruising and certainly a lifetime of anguish ahead.
But how does that compare to two avoidable deaths another family and set of friends must cope with?
I ride.
People in mobile cages scare me at every intersection for this very reason.
At 7:53PM the headlights of that bike would’ve been very evident.
Tragic, sad and avoidable, distracted or not.
Cindy on 04/11/2017 at 8:42 pm said:
anonymous?
I know what happened.
People are totally engrossed in themselves and their own little world.
Others don’t exist.
They don’t love their neighbor enough to watch out for them.
They don’t have a clue how to drive defensively.
They are so jaded that they don’t understand they are commandeering a two to four ton weapon that can cause serious injuries.
They are in such a hurry and wrapped up in themselves that they would never consider driving as a perilous, at best, adventure.
They don’t have personal responsibility in their vocabulary; so why should they exercise any caution while driving?
inish on 04/12/2017 at 9:11 am said:
She turned in front of another vehicle.
I am still waiting for the explanation.
Kids in the car, husband in the passenger seat means what???
She turned in front of a 1,000 vehicle.
Even if he was speeding- it is her responsibility to not turn unless safe to do so.
I am sure it was horrible for them as well.
David H2O’s on 04/12/2017 at 9:27 pm said:
Anonymous what assumptions are being made by the media?
I’m so sorry this inconvenienced the 5 children and two adults in the van.
We are all so worried about the injuries they sustained.
Are they going to live?
Because Dennis Spears and Tanya Schafer are both dead.
Why?
Negligence…
Yes they were actual people with names and lives,friends abd family.
I don’t think you could find a person on earth that had something bad to say about Dennis, and his wife was a great person.
So maybe you should come to their funeral this Saturday and see how bad the death of these two hurt an entire community of people.
I hope the driver is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and sits in prison.
And you sicken me with your bullshit…
DGWI on 04/12/2017 at 10:04 pm said:
The driver of the van & her family are alive.
Because of her negligence, she killed 2 people who have family & friends who loved them dearly.
Sorry, no sympathy for the driver here.
Pay attention when you drive.
Amanda Jordan on 04/12/2017 at 11:29 pm said:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
@Anonymous…the family obviously weren’t hurt, because the media would cover that news as well. Dennis & Tanya where hit-T-Boned. He had the right of way…the light was green. She had a red. Makes me feel sick considering she caused it. What type of mom would drive so recklessly with her children/spouse on board? Dennis was an incredible man. So smart. Knowledge, math, science, politics, funny, musical genious,grammar, etc. He was true to his word, and kept every secret I told him. He’s gone. I pity people who never met him. He was amazing!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1286870074760905&id=100003137743474
Why is it the forty-one year woman from Wonder Lake was not charged?
She kills two people and it is no big deal?
I think people should stop making assumptions of what really happend until the whole investigation is complete. She hasnt been charged with anything.
Its a tragedy and my heart definitely go out to dennis and tonya.
Accidents happend everday on the road.its very sad for everyone involved.
I hope the township does something about that intersection.
Alot of accidents have happend there !!!
If the family in the minivan had any type of injuries, it would have been public.
Dennis & Tanya were the casualties .
I will never be able to talk to them again all because she was driver.
Again… I will never, in my life, talk to him again.
Let that sink in…
Rider for over 40 yrs.
Live by this intersection, drive thru it 50 times a week.
Human error cuased this.
Motorcycleing is VERY dangerous, all riders should know,TRUST NO ONE!
I am off the gas and covering my brake at ANY potential dumbass situation.
Hugged and cryed w/guy at site, didn know him but feel his pain.
Lost my good freind and best man at my wedding over 12 years ago from crash.
Think of him and his family (and mine) everytime I ride.
R.I.P.
BE SAFE
Also to anonymous (coward, stand by your words or shut up)and to mr.long, nothing wrong with itersection, just stupid people.
YEILD TO RIGHT OF WAY PROCEED WHEN SAFE TO DO SO DUH!!
And to all riders,its not us against them.
Good people make mistakes,try not to ride in anger.
We all need to share the road.
Respect each others right to be free Americans.
I will be on ride today trying to see thru my tears.
My most humble regards to all.
I live at 1203 s. Bonnie Brae dr.just a minute from river rd. and Charles Miller rd. intersection.
If any riders want to gather early befor going to start ride they can come by, coffee, goodwill etc.
Brad and all motorcyclists please be careful out there.
He is risen!
Thank you Mary,went to service with group and rode all day safley. Windy but spiritual! Be well,Happy Easter
Apparently your recollection does not go back to the 1970’s.
Hmmmmm…?
A motorcycle could not stop and rammed into the van that was turning at the intersection.
The Van had a green light and turned.
The Cycle had a green light and could not stop or even swerve to avoid the collision.
Speed limit is 45 there.
i was there with my dad
he said holly shit
i hear crash my brother was in front
i was in the back
yes my dad told the cops every thing