McHenry County Blog

Metra engine.

A friend of McHenry County Blog sent the following email shortly before 8 PM Saturday night:

“Between Three Oaks and Cary Algonquin.

“Metro train stopped and a series of rescue vehicles along the side of 14.

“Looked like the were searching under the train.”

Metra Spokesman Michael Gillis told McHenry County Blog,

“It was the 721 train which left Chicago at 5. It was due into Harvard at 7:20.

“At 6:50, it struck a pedestrian north of the Cary station.

“It is a fatality.

“I do not have information about the identity, gender or age.”

If a suicide, this is the second one in two weeks between the Cary and the Pingree Road Stations. You can read about the October 20th one here and here.

Coroner Marlene Lantz confirmed today, “It was an apparent suicide.”

She also told me that it was a man.

The Crystal Lake Police Department again directed me to the Union Pacific Railroad and I ended up talking to the same media guy I conversed with Saturday, Mark Davis.

Crystal Lake Police were at the site of the Saturday suicide, but the Department was still directing media calls to the Union Pacific Railroad two days later.

As he quickly read the UP report to himself I heard

• “north side of the road,”
• “trespassed sustained fatal injuries” and
• “relatives being notified.”

And, Davis told me local officials would have to release further details.

So I called Metra and got Meg Reile.

She told me more than anyone else has.

And her source seemed to be the Crystal Lake Police Department.

A woman was stopped on Sands Road looking for something in her bag.

She saw a man get out of a vehicle and walk toward the tracks.

The engineer repeatedly blew the train’s horn.

The man stood by the crossing waiting for the train to come.

He stepped in front of the train.

The woman said he “disappeared.”

The man seems to have been a resident of the south side of Crystal Lake.  Her was was 61 years old.

I’m not releasing the name of the man because I can’t see any purpose it would serve.

That’s a bit more than you could have read about the accident in my Saturday article, where there are more pictures.

From Lakewood’s Police Chief Lawrence Howell:

The accident occurred at the north end of the intersection of Routes 57 and 176.

“Last night at approximately 8:53pm a fatal accident occurred at the north intersection of Rt. 47 and Rt. 176.

“The Lakewood Police Department assisted by McHenry County Sheriff  Department, Lakewood Fire Department, and the McHenry County Coroners Office responded.

“The accident occurred when a north bound Rt. 47 Jeep Liberty driven by William A. Cizek Jr. age 49 of 1101 N. Hart Ave. Harvard, Il. attempted to turned left on Rt. 176 into the path of a south bound Rt. 47 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Christopher J. Ludovice age 54 of 1280 Victoria Ln. Elgin, Il.

“The motorcycle struck the Jeep Liberty and the driver Mr. Ludovice and is passenger his 16 year old daughter where thrown from the motorcycle.

“Mr. Ludovice died of his injuries and his daughter is in critical condition at Centegra Memorial Hospital.

“Neither motorcycle occupants were wearing helmets and alcohol is not suspected at this time.

“The driver of the Jeep, Mr. Cizek, was cited for making an improper left turn.

“We are being assisted by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department with an accident reconstruction.”

The approximate location of the accident.

press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash – McHenry Ave at Barlina Road

On Monday, August 27, 2012 at approximately 4:36 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a traffic crash on McHenry Avenue between Monterey Drive and Dartmoor Drive involving a vehicle roll-over.

Upon arrival Officers determined the crash to involve a single vehicle, a 2003 Jeep Liberty, owned and operated by Heather Burris (22) of Algonquin, Illinois.

Paramedics evaluated Burris’ injuries, which were determined to not be life-threatening, but required immediate medical attention.

Fire Rescue Command determined the appropriate method of transport would be by air.

A REACT helicopter from Rockford was summoned, and transported Burris to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further evaluation and treatment.

Initial investigation revealed Burris had been southbound on McHenry Avenue, when her vehicle left the roadway on the west side parkway striking a mailbox and support post.

The vehicle then continued completely off of the roadway, and rolled on to its roof. Burris was able to exit the vehicle on her own.

Manual traffic control was provided as emergency crews tended to Burris, removed the vehicle and debris, and secured an appropriate landing zone.

Traffic was diverted from the area for over an hour.

This incident remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash – Rt. 14 @ Pingree Road

On Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at approximately 12:14 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on Rt. 14 near Pingree Road.

Upon arrival it was determined four vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction traffic crash, in one of two eastbound lanes.

Paramedics evaluated all parties involved, and transported a total of three passengers from two of the vehicles. Passenger injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, but serious enough to require immediate medical attention.

Initial investigation has determined that Colleen Mantor (43) of McHenry, IL, while driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring, collided with the rear of a 2005 Chevrolet Tribute, operated by Luen Toy (67) of Wonder Lake, IL, which had been stopped within the traffic lane.

This collision resulted in the Chevrolet striking the vehicle ahead of it, a 2006 Toyota, operated by Mary Dyra (47) of Prairie Grove, IL, which in turn struck a 2008 Honda, operated by Renee Shopp (59) of Island Lake, IL.

Manual traffic control was provided as emergency crews tended to the injured, and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

The traffic lights were set to four-way flashing red to aid in traffic control.

While Rt. 14 was not shut down completely, traffic was reduced to one lane in either direction for nearly one hour.

After the involved vehicles were removed, the traffic control lights failed to re-set, resulting in another hour of manual direction until a maintenance crew arrived and repairs were made.

Colleen Mantor was cited on-scene for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident (Illinois Compiled Statutes 625ILCS5/11-601(A)) and released, pending a court appearance.

My wife and I were separately eastbound on Route 14 a bit after noon and traffic wasn’t moving.

She managed a left hand turn at Sam’s Club, but I was stuck in the right hand lane.

After some delay I managed to turn left into the Bohl Market shopping center.

The reason for the delay is outlined in the press release below from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

This photo of the rollover accident was provided by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

“On April 5th, 2012 at approximately 12:00 P.M. emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to the intersection of US Rt. 14 at Exchange Drive, for a traffic crash involving a vehicle on its side.

“Upon arrival crews assessed the drivers of the two involved vehicles, determining none sustained any serious injury.

“An investigation into the crash revealed that a 2011 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, driven by Ronald E. Oerkfitz (74) of Crystal Lake, had been traveling eastbound on Rt. 14, while a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, driven by David R. Johnson (30) of Cary traveled westbound.

“As the vehicles entered the intersection, Oerkfitz and the pickup truck attempted to turn left on to Exchange Drive, as Johnson and the SUV attempted to traverse the intersection, continuing westbound.

“The vehicles collided within the intersection resulting in severe damage to both. The pickup came to rest within the center of the roadway on its driver’s side.

“Both drivers were able to exit their respective vehicles without the need of extrication.

“Police conducted manual traffic direction as both eastbound and westbound Rt. 14 was reduced to one lane in each direction, until the vehicles and debris could be removed.

“Ronald Oerkfitz was cited with Failure to Yield when Turning Left, 625ILCS5/11-902, and was released from the scene.”

Hit by a van and flow first to Centegra’s Level 2 Trauma Center and then transferred to Advocate Lutheran General’s Level 1 Trauma center is reported in “stable condition” by the Daily Herald.

Another source is much more optimistic, saying Ashley Andre is “miraculously unharmed except for bumps on her head.”

The twelve-year old was hit by a van towing a trailer.

The Crystal Lake Police Department’s press release, plus a overhead look at the accident site is here.

Here is what Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 says.

Here’s what is on the Hannah Beardsley Middle School web site:

Attention! – Dear District 47 Families:

Earlier today, November 2, 2011, a District 47 middle school student was struck by an automobile as she was attempting to cross a community street on her way to school.

The student was airlifted to Lutheran General Hospital and is receiving the very best treatment for the injuries she sustained in the accident.

We are unbelievably grateful to the police and medical professionals in our Crystal Lake community for the promptness in their response and handling of this unbelievably unfortunate incident.

District staff has and will remain in contact with the child’s family as we monitor her condition.

We have provided additional social services support at the aforementioned student’s school if needed by students or staff members during this very difficult time.

As the Superintendent of School District 47, I am respectfully requesting that all of you have discussions with your children regarding the importance of awareness and safety while walking to and from school.

Your support is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Donn P. Mendoza, Ed.D.
Superintendent

UPDATE: Crysatal Lake Police Department press release:

Vehicle-Pedestrian crash Crystal Lake

On Wednesday, November 2nd, at 6:53 A.M. emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to the intersection of Crystal Lake Avenue at Oak Hollow Road, the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

Upon arrival crews determined a cargo van towing a trailer, travelling east on Crystal Lake Avenue, had collided with the pedestrian; a twelve year old student [a girl] of the nearby Hannah Beardsley Middle School.

Oak Hollow Road is the entrance to Hannah Beardsley Middle School.

Rescue personnel assessed and transported the child to Centegra – Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry, where upon arrival she was immediately transferred by Flight for Life helicopter to Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge.

The extent of the child’s injuries are unknown at this time, however due to the nature of the incident a level one trauma center was determined appropriate.

The intersection involved has a marked crosswalk and additional pedestrian crossing warning lights.

The driver of the vehicle; Giles Simonson (50) of McHenry, IL. was not injured in the crash. He was cited on the scene for failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk (Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1002a).

Officers from the Police Department’s Crash Investigation Unit continue to investigate this incident.

The roadway involved was closed from the time emergency crews arrived until 9:15 A.M.
= = = = =
A student was hit by a car this morning near Hannah Beardsley Middle School.

The student was flown out by helicopter.

No more details.

A press from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Roll-over traffic crash – Rt. 176, Crystal Lake

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at approximately 8:36 a.m. emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to Illinois Route 176 ¼ mile east of Bryn Mawr Lane for a report of a motor vehicle crash in which a vehicle had rolled over.

The vacinity of the accident on Route 176 in western Crystal Lake.

Upon arrival emergency crews tended to the occupants of the single vehicle involved; Alma Mendez, 25 of Marengo, IL, and her two sons; one two years old, and the other six weeks old.

It was determined through a subsequent investigation that Mendez’s vehicle, a 1997 GMC Jimmy, had been eastbound on Rt. 176 when loss of control occurred and the vehicle left the roadway.

The vehicle entered the ditch on the south side of the highway, rolling on its side multiple times, before coming to rest in a tree line.

While unconfirmed, it was reported Mendez had become distracted attempting to remove an insect from within the vehicle.

No other vehicles or utilities were involved. Several passers-by had stopped to provide aid, and assisted the occupants from the vehicle.

Alma Mendez and her children were transported by ambulance to Centegra Memorial Hospital, Woodstock.

d with a seatbelt or child safety seats within the vehicle.

The vehicle incurred extensive damage.

Traffic on Rt. 176 was reduced to one lane, and intermittently blocked for approximately forty minutes as the scene was investigated and the vehicle and debris was removed.

Alma Mendez was cited for

• Improper Lane Usage,
• Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and
• Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Driver’s License.