From the Sheriff’s Department:

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Crash near Woodstock

A 33-year-old Elgin man was pronounced dead, and five others were injured following a three-vehicle crash on US Route 14 west of Dean Street, in unincorporated Woodstock. 

On Sunday February 16, 2025, at 3:13 p.m., members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Woodstock Police Department, and Woodstock Fire & Rescue District responded to the crash scene.

Additional rescue services were requested from Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department, Wonder Lake Fire Protection District, Huntley Fire Protection District, Marengo Fire and Rescue District, Union Fire Protection District, and McHenry County Emergency Management Agency.      

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2018 Mercedes-Benz was traveling eastbound on US Route 14 and a 2017 Toyota 4 Runner was traveling westbound on US Route 14.

The Mercedes attempted to pass a vehicle pulling a trailer in a no passing zone and then collided with the 4 Runner head-on in the westbound lane.

A 2018 Jeep, traveling westbound behind the Toyota, struck the left rear of the Toyota while attempting to avoid the initial crash. The Jeep sustained minor damage, and no one was injured in that vehicle. 

The driver of the Mercedes, a 33-year-old Elgin man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 6-year-old male passenger was air lifted from the scene and with life-threatening injuries.

The driver was not believed to be wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, but the passenger was. Airbags did deploy in the car.

The driver of the 4 Runner, a 43-year-old male of Cross Plains, WI was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A 43-year-old female passenger, also of Cross Plains WI, was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two passengers, an 11-year-old female and 13-year-old male were both transferred to local hospitals and later airlifted with life-threatening injuries.

All were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash and airbags did deploy.

The Mercedes is believed to have been involved in a crash on US Route 14 near the intersection with Kishwaukee Valley Road prior to this crash.

All events are part of an ongoing investigation by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.  

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From the Cororner: