McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

“On April 12th, at approximately 3:00 pm, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments responded to the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Mt. Thabor Road for a report of a traffic crash.

“Upon arrival crews located a Gold 2000 Chrysler Concorde and a Black 2007 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle that had collided in the roadway.

“The operator of the motorcycle, John C. Winkelman (54) of Marengo, IL was seriously injured, as he was ejected from the motorcycle upon impact.

“He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

“He was transported to Centegra Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock.

“The driver of the Chrysler, Kimberly Randall (27) of Woodstock, suffered minor injuries, and was transported to the hospital as well.

“Despite all life-saving measures attempted, John C. Winkelman succumbed to injuries he sustained as a result of this crash.

“An initial investigation into the crash revealed the Harley-Davidson had been traveling westbound on Rt. 176, and the Chrysler southbound Mt. Thabor Road.

“After stopping at the posted stop sign, the Chrysler then entered the intersection, intending to turn left (eastbound) onto Rt. 176, in the path of the approaching Harley-Davidson, when the vehicles collided.

“Traffic was diverted from the area for nearly three hours as the on-scene investigation was conducted.

“This matter remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department and the McHenry county Coroner’s Office.”

= = = = =
The Daily Herald reports that Winkelman served as a Captain with the Huntley Fire Protection District and was known as “Winky.”

Here’s an another article about an accident at this dangerous intersection.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

On March 25, 2012 at approximately 5 p.m., two (2) unidentified juvenile males were observed damaging headstones in the Mount Thabor Cemetery located at 2700 Mount Thabor Road in Crystal Lake, IL.

A McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol was notified by a passerby of the incident and responded to the scene.

Upon arriving, the Deputy observed two male juveniles fleeing the area and initiated a foot pursuit but was unable to apprehend the offenders.

In the days following the incident, an investigation ensued and suspect information was developed during a neighborhood canvass conducted in the Bryn Mawr Sub-Division.

On March 30^th, police spoke with two thirteen year old male juveniles who subsequently admitted to being responsible for the damage. The juveniles, one who is a resident of Crystal Lake and the other, a resident of Woodstock were both charged under the Cemetery Protection Act 765ILCS 835/1(b) Class 2 Felony and 765ILCS 835/1(b-5) Class 4 Felony.

In total, seventeen tombstones had been either knocked over or damaged by the two juveniles causing an estimated $3,300 in damage.

Both juveniles will be referred to McHenry County Court Services and petitioned into Juvenile Court.

According to the offenders, their motivation for committing these acts was “boredom”.

The following press release from Crystal Lake Crime Stoppers seeks help in identifying Sunday Mt. Thabor Cemetery vandals:

CRIME OF THE WEEK

Crime Stoppers and the Crystal Lake Police Department are seeking information that will help solve a case involving Criminal Damage to Property.

The Crystal Lake Police Department needs your help with solving a report of Criminal Damage to Property.

On 03/25/12 at approximately 5:00PM two (2) unknown male Caucasian subjects wearing jeans and black T-shirts were observed damaging head stones in the Mt. Thabor Cemetery at 270 Mt. Thabor Rd.

The subjects ran away from the area though the open field into the Bryn Mawr subdivision.

After further investigation it appears approximately twenty (20) headstones were damaged.

Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards of up to $1000.00 for information leading to the arrest and filing of criminal charges against offenders.

Tips can also be texted anonymously to “TIP411” (847411) with the keyword “TIPCLPD” within the text.

CRIME STOPPERS DOES NOT USE CALLER I.D.
If you have any information about this crime, or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-762-STOP (7867).

You may also call the Crystal Lake Police Department Investigations Division at 815-459-4481. This number also does not use caller I.D.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash June 29th, 2011

On Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at approximately 4:52 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments responded to a report of a traffic crash on Illinois Route 176 near Mt. Thabor Road.

Upon arrival crews located a two vehicle crash, in which one vehicle had left the roadway and came to rest in approximately three feet of water in the ditch on the south side of the road.

Fire Rescue personnel evaluated the occupants of the vehicles, determining none had sustained injury.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that both vehicles had been traveling eastbound on Rt. 176 at the intersection.

Jessica Hill (20) of Marengo, IL, while operating her 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, had slowed and came to a stop, intending to turn left (north) onto Mt. Thabor Road. Travelling behind Hill’s vehicle was Roberta Luebbers, (68), also from Marengo, IL, in her 2006 Hyundai.

Luebbers failed to sufficiently reduce the speed of her vehicle before taking evasive action, and swerving off the road in an attempt to avoid striking Hill’s vehicle. Luebbers’ vehicle sideswiped the passenger side of Hill’s before leaving the roadway entirely, coming to rest in the water-filled ditch.

Roberta Luebbers was cited for Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident (Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 625, 5.0/11-601(a)) and was released from the scene pending her appearance in court August 18th, 2011 at the McHenry County Courthouse.

Traffic was diverted from the immediate area for approximately 40 minutes as crews investigated the crash, removed Luebbers’ vehicle from the water, and cleaned up the debris.

= = = = =

This is an intersection that clearly needs to be realigned in preparation for a traffic signal as the area grows.