From the McHenry County Sheriff:

Fatal Traffic Crash Near Union

An 89-year-old Woodbury, Minnesota woman was pronounced deceased following a two-vehicle crash in the 17100 block of Illinois Route 176 near Union on March 16. 

On Sunday, March 16 at about 9:25 a.m. members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Marengo Police Department, and rescue departments from Harvard, Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Huntley, Union, and Marengo responded to a two-vehicle head-on crash on Illinois Route 176 to the east of North Union Road.  

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2007 Kia Sportage, driven by a 40-year-old Marengo man, was traveling eastbound on Illinois Route 176 and a 2016 Mazda CX-5, driven by a 64-year-old Crystal Lake man, was traveling westbound on Illinois Route 176.

The vehicles were involved in a head-on crash with both vehicles remaining on the highway. 

Four people were injured, and one person was pronounced dead as a result of the crash.

The driver of the Mazda was transported to Northwestern Hospital Huntley in critical condition.

A 64-year-old Crystal Lake woman, a passenger in the Mazda, was transported to Northwestern Hospital McHenry in stable condition.

An 89-year-old woman, a passenger in the Mazda, was taken to Northwestern Hospital Huntley and later pronounced dead.

The driver of the Kia refused treatment on scene.

A 17-year-old Marengo juvenile passenger in the Kia was transported to Mercyhealth Hospital Crystal Lake in good condition.

A 37-year-old Marengo man was transported to Northwestern Hospital Huntley in good condition. 

Weather is believed to have been a factor for the crash.

All but one of the victims were seat belted at the time of crash.

The investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office. 

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From the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts:

Six Transported From Two-Vehicle Crash on Route 176

On March 26, 2025, at 9:26 a.m., the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts and Union Fire Protection District responded to a reported two-vehicle crash at the intersection of N. Union Road and Route 176. 

While en route, crews were informed that bystander CPR was in progress on one of the individuals involved.

Firefighters arrived within minutes and found a two-vehicle crash with heavy damage and multiple patients.

The collision occurred along Route 176, approximately half a mile east of the intersection.

Road conditions at the time were covered in snow, with whiteout conditions present.

Due to the number and severity of injuries, the call was upgraded through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) for additional ambulances.

A medical helicopter was initially requested; however, it was unable to respond due to weather conditions.

A total of five were transported to hospitals. Of those, three sustained critical injuries, one was in serious condition, and one suffered minor injuries. An additional patient refused medical attention.

Of those, three sustained critical injuries, one was in serious condition, and two suffered minor injuries.

Ambulances from Crystal Lake, Harvard, Huntley, and Woodstock responded to the scene, while Nunda Rural Fire Protection District provided station coverage for Marengo with an ambulance during the incident.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. Any additional questions regarding the investigation, including cause, fault, seat-belt use, and speeds, should be directed to their office.

Photos are courtesy of the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts.

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ABC picked up the story: