A woman who was driving drunk and fled the scene after striking and killing a motorcyclist and injuring the victim’s wife in Crystal Lake in 2019 has pleaded guilty, court records show.
Carolyn A. Tyrrell, 54, of the 900 block of Wesley Drive in Crystal Lake, was indicted on one count of leaving the scene of an accident causing death, one count of leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury and four counts of aggravated driving under the influence.
Tyrrell entered a blind plea agreement on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated driving under the influence causing an accident involving death, a Class 2 felony.
As a result, prosecutors dismissed her five other charges, including two that are more serious Class 1 felony charges.
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt revoked Tyrrell’s bond and ordered her held in the McHenry County Jail while she awaits sentencing.
George Klinger, 53, of Algonquin, was traveling on his motorcycle southbound on Virginia Road near Berkshire Drive in Crystal Lake around 7:35 p.m. September 10, 2019.
A red sedan, driven by Tyrrell, struck the motorcycle in the intersection. Klinger and his wife, who was riding as a passenger, were both ejected from the motorcycle onto the roadway.
The red sedan driven by Tyrrell fled the scene heading westbound on Berkshire Drive, police said.
A U.S. Marine that was driving by and saw the crash began performing CPR on Klinger before paramedics arrived. He was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, police said.
A Flight For Life medical helicopter was called and transported Klinger’s wife to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with serious injuries.
Police investigators located the red sedan’s bumper nearby the crash scene and found the vehicle parked at Tyrrell’s residence in the 900 block of Wesley Drive in Crystal Lake a short time later.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13. The woman faces three to 14 years in prison.