McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Three Car Crash on Route 14 near Intersection of Route 176

On Tuesday, April 30, 2013, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on RT 14 near the intersection of RT 176 at 12:50 PM.

Route 14 near Route 176

Upon arrival, crews determined three vehicles had been involved, and that three lanes of the four-lane highway were obstructed.

Fire Rescue evaluated all occupants of the vehicles and transported three subjects to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock with what were believed to be not life-threatening injuries.

Investigation into the crash revealed that a 2012 GMC Terrain, operated by Robert Clish (67) of Harvard, IL had exited a private drive east of the intersection, intending to travel east on RT 14.

Clish’s vehicle collided with an eastbound 2008 GMC Denali, operated by Chad Chavez (33) of Crystal Lake, and subsequently a westbound 2005 Ford Freestyle, operated by Christopher Otto (37) of Crystal Lake.

All three vehicles sustained extensive damage, rendering them inoperable and requiring they be towed from the scene.

Robert Clish was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/11-906 Failure to Yield from a Private Drive
• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Chad Chavez was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) Expired Registration
• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Christopher Otto was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Traffic in the area was redirected or restricted to single lanes for approximately 25 minutes as crews treated the injured, investigated the crash and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

Tanglewood Drive in Crystal Lake.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Vehicle Crashes into Garage of Residence in Crystal Lake

On Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 9:25 AM, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a traffic crash in the 1400 block of Tanglewood Drive.

Upon arrival emergency crews found that a 2001 Mercedes-Benz minivan had crashed into a garage of a residence, and partially out the back wall of the garage.

Fire Rescue personnel transported the driver; sole occupant of the vehicle; Lori Ruzbasan (49) of Crystal Lake to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The resident of the house struck was inside the home when the crash occurred, but was not injured.

The residence was inspected by the Crystal Lake Building Department, and representatives from public utilities, and was deemed safe to occupy.

Alcohol and/or otherwise impaired driving is not suspected in this traffic crash, however; Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate the cause.

It is believed the driver may have experienced a medical condition, which either caused or contributed to this crash.

At this time, no citations have been issued.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Plane Crash – Crystal Lake

On May 3rd, 2012 at 3:15 pm, the Lake in the Hills Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a passerby indicating that there had been a plane crash.

The area of the crash was determined to be due east of the Lake in the Hills Airport, just southwest of the intersection of James R. Rakow Road and Virginia Road, in Crystal Lake.

Police and Fire/Rescue personnel from Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills immediately responded to the scene.

Upon arriving at the scene police and fire/rescue personnel had to respond on foot several hundred yards to access the downed aircraft.

The location where the aircraft went down is free of trees and man-made structures however with its marsh-like and mud conditions it prohibited access by normal police or fire/rescue equipment.

Specialized equipment and personnel responded to the scene to facilitate the investigation and recovery operations.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the aircraft, a single engine private plane, was airborne in the area immediately east of the Lake in the Hills airport where it had landed earlier in the day.

For reasons unknown at this time, witness statements indicate the plane may have been attempting to return to the airport when it began to decelerate just prior to impact.

First responders discovered two occupants of the aircraft were dead at the scene.

The FAA and the NTSB are conducting the crash investigation with the support of the Crystal Lake Police and Fire Rescue Departments, as well as the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.

The scene will be secured until the investigation and recovery operations are completed.

At present there is no press conference scheduled however we expect this information to be updated as it becomes available.

Information regarding the identification of those who died as a result of the plane crash will be withheld pending notification of next of kin.

As you might imagine, the SUV won.

Considering how relatively small motorcycles are, my guess is that it’s usually four-wheeled vehicles that hit the two-wheeled ones.

Here’s a press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about the crash:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash

Motorcyclists follow the same laws as motorists.

On Monday, May 16, 2011 Emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Pyott Road near Rakow Road, involving a motorcycle and a sports utility vehicle.

Upon arrival crews determined that a 1994 Honda Goldwing motorcycle, operated by Paul Ruge (57) of Bloomingdale, IL had collided with a 1998 Ford Explorer, driven by Danielle Hoeck (30) of Algonquin, IL.

A subsequent investigation revealed the Ford Explorer came to a stop on Pyott Road, southbound at the intersection of Rakow Road for a red traffic control light, when it was struck from behind by the motorcycle.

The rider, Paul Ruge, was examined by Crystal Lake paramedics, and declined emergency transport. Danielle Hoeck was not injured.

Ruge was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Collision, and was released from the scene.

Traffic was diverted from the southbound lanes for approximately 30 minutes as crews assessed the drivers, and removed the damaged vehicles and debris.

Know those signs and bumper stickers about being on the lookout for motorcycles. The man who hit a motorcycle while entering Pyott Road apparently didn’t heed the advice.  No injuries, but both drivers got tickets.

A second accident occurred north of Rt 176 on Route 31.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about two crashes today:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crashes

Pyott Road North of Rakow Road

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011 the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a traffic crash near the intersection of Rakow Road and Pyott Road.

Upon arrival, emergency crews determined a 2000 Suzuki motorcycle, operated by Timothy L. Shaffer (21) of Crystal Lake and a 2003 Toyota Tundra, operated by David Redman (50), also of Crystal Lake were involved.

Fire Rescue personnel evaluated both drivers, determining none sustained injuries requiring immediate medical attention.

Police investigated the crash, and determined the motorcycle had been traveling south on Pyott Road, and collided with the Toyota as it entered Pyott Road from Jennings Drive, to turn northbound.

David Redman was cited for Failure to Yield from a Stop intersection and No Valid Driver’s License-expired.

Timothy Shaffer was cited for Improper Lane Usage. Traffic was diverted from the southbound lane for approximately 10 minutes.

Route 31 North of Route 176

At 4:19 PM, also April 13th, 2011, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments were dispatched to the area of Illinois Route 31, south of Drake Drive, for a report of a three vehicle crash.

Emergency crews responded, assessed the participants, and determining none sustained any injuries.

Police investigated the crash, and determined that traffic had been stopped in the southbound lane due to a heavy volume of vehicles.

A southbound 2010 Jeep Wrangler, operated by Lisa Halwix (22) of Union, IL struck the rear of a stopped 2007 GMC Yukon, operated by Donna Giovanni (40) of Johnsburg, IL.

The Yukon then struck a 2008 GMC Savanna, operated by James Kozial (37) of Carpentersville, IL, which was stopped ahead in the same lane.

Lisa Halwix was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

Traffic control was needed for approximately 30 minutes as crews investigated the incident, and vehicles were removed from the roadway.

From the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crashes March 1st , 2011

On Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 at 5:33 PM, Crystal Lake Police and Fire Rescue Departments responded to the 1100 block of North Shore Drive, Crystal Lake for a reported traffic crash. Upon arrival emergency crews determined the crash involved a single vehicle and a utility pole.

The driver of the vehicle; Kristina P. Bevill (16) of 1141 North Shore Drive, was evaluated by paramedics, reporting no injury. Bevill had been traveling eastbound on North Shore Drive when the 2002 Ford Explorer she operated left the roadway on the south shoulder, colliding with the pole.

As the pole had been severed at the base, and live power lines remained attached, the roadway was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic until crews from Com Ed deemed the scene safe.

Kristina Bevill was cited for Improper lane Usage, and was released on the scene. The roadway was reopened at 9:57 PM.

Crystal Lake Traffic Crashes March 2nd , 2011

On Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 at 8:21 AM, emergency crews responded to US Rt. 14 at Lucas Road for a reported traffic crash.

Upon arrival personnel determined this was two vehicle crash, with no injuries were reported.

Police officers on the scene determined that a 2005 Ford Focus, operated by Amy Frankel (18) of 5505 Avalon Lane, Lake in the Hills had been stopped, northbound Lucas Road, and attempted to cross Rt. 14 to enter the McHenry County College.

An eastbound 2003 Nissan Maxima, operated by Aristo Espino (55) of 113 Staffordshire Drive, Poplar Grove, IL collided with Frankel’s vehicle, resulting in extensive damage.

Amy Frankel was cited for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way at an Intersection, and released at the scene.

Police personnel remained on the scene until the involved vehicles were towed.

Traffic was restricted to a single lane periodically during this process. The roadway was reopened at 8:58 AM.

The house on the corner is the one that was hit.

Here are the photos taken by Crystal Lake Police at the corner of Wedgewood and Country Club Drive:

The sixteen-year old girl didn't make the curve.

The curve exists because Lakewood Village Trustee Hal McKenney got what would have been the extension of Country Club Road to Huntley Road turned into a walking-bike path. That prevented the developer of Wedgewood from connecting its streets to what would have been a straight East-West road.

McKenney and his neighbors living in Country Club Additions got dead end streets from Gate 14 to Gate 21.

Text girl almost missed the house on the corner.

Guess the airbags were deployed.

Looks like some aluminum siding that will end up in the re-cycling bin before this house is sold.

Here’s what the house looked like after being boarded up:

The company who boarded up the house didn't leave a stenciled ad.

The press release can be found here, plus a photo of the CBS helicopter over Lakewood.

McHenry County Sheriff's Squad Car was the second one I saw heading toward the Route 47 accident.

As I was heading to the McHenry County Courthouse complex for the Republican Party-sponsored Chicago Food Pantry food giveaway, a Woodstock Police car came screaming down Business 14 and turned onto Route 47.

It was easy to tell that this was not a routine call and, given the time of night, something before six P.M., I guessed it was an auto accident.

The traffic light override was engaged at Judd Street and Route 47.

Stopping for gas at the Citgo to avoid Mayor Aaron Shepley’s 75% sales tax increase, a Sheriff’s squad car was accelerating down 47.

Woodstock Fire Engine Number 01 headed south on Route 47.

We got to the light at Judd Street, on which the main Fire Station is located. I noticed the little light next to the traffic light was white.

Sure enough, what has to be one of Woodstock’s biggest engine, number “01,” rolled around the corner onto Route 47 going south.

While at the courthouse parking lot another engine, siren blasting, came down Ware Road, turning south on Route 47.

Woodstock Fire Truck E35 also responded to the accident. The back of the sign you see says "McHenry County Republican Headquaters." The local GOP were sponsoring a Northern Illinois Food Bank free food pick-up in the Courthouse parking lot.

I decided to take Route 47 home. Before reaching Bypass 14, I noticed a helicopter heading in a northerly direction. I thought it might be a Flight for Life, but I couldn’t figure out what hospital it might be heading for. Rockford is west and the helicopter seemed to be heading more northwest.

Continuing down 47, we reached a roadblock at Lucas Road.

Route 47 was blocked at Lucas Road by a Woodstock Police car.

East or west were our choices.  I went west  a bit and parked.

It appears to be a head-on crash between two cars. It is unclear if the truck with the blue trailer was involved or is just blocking the road to prevent others from piling into the wreck. (Click to enlarge this or any other image.)

You can see what my long lens caught of this major accident. Two cars seemed to have been involved. There is a red truck with a blue trailer which might have been part of the accident, too. Maybe it is just blocking the road to prevent other cars from hitting the wrecked ones. Another white semi probably stopped to help.

The fire engines had left, but two Sheriff’s Department squad cars were there. The deputies were examining the car on the road, which appeared to have been hit head-on.

Below you can see a close-up of the demolished car in the middle of the road.

Here's a close-up of the demolished car sitting astride Route 47.

The white car which ended up in the western ditch is seen next.

Route 47's western ditch is where the white car ended up.

We drove west on Lucas and down Dean Street Road to Route 176. It took a long time to get out onto the main road.

Route 47 was blocked at its northern intersection with Route 176. This is at the northern edge of the over 400 acres the Village of Lakewood seeks to annex.

At the intersection of Routes 176 and 47, a Sheriff’s Deputy told northbound cars to head west to Dean Street and it would take them to Woodstock.

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Gus Philpott’s Woodstock Advocate has a story on the crash here. Included is an earlier photo.