A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Motorcycle Crash

A 35-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash Sunday night after his motorcycle collided with a guardrail in unincorporated Nunda Township.

Preliminary investigation indicated that at 11:33 p.m., a 2003 Harley Davidson XL883C motorcycle, driven by Merrick M. Gehrke of McHenry, was traveling southbound on River Road at Black Partridge Road. For an unknown reason the motorcycle left the west side of the roadway where it collided with a guardrail, ejecting Gehrke.

Merrick Gehrke was the sole occupant of the motorcycle, was not wearing a helmet, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

The investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Traffic Crash Investigations Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office. Members of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District and A-TEC Ambulance also responded to the scene. The Island Lake Police Department assisted with traffic control.

Majewski Investigates Death