The man killed in a multi-motorcycle crash in Lake in the Hills was a father of four kids and his daughter has started a fundraiser to raise money for his funeral.
Frank Muniz, 52, of Chicago, was killed after four motorcycles collided with each other while they were traveling in a group on Sunday.
One of his four children, Jessica Muniz, created a GoFundMe account on Monday and has raised almost $10,000 with a set goal of $20,000.
“To my loving father. He was loved by so many people. He lit up any room he walked into. He was taken from us too soon,” Jessica said.
“My father was the most caring man I knew. He was always there for anyone at any time of the day. He was giving and never put himself first. My dad was the kind of person that could make friends anywhere he went, he was the life of the party and always had something to talk about,” she added.
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District and Lake in the Hills Police Department responded to the incident around 10:53 a.m. Sunday at Virginia Road and Pingree Road.
Lake in the Hills Police Department Communications Coordinator Ashley Eccles said that officers received a call of a motorcycle accident.
A bystander along with Crystal Lake police performed life-saving measures by giving CPR to one of the victims before paramedics arrived.
Eccles said that a group of seven motorcycles were traveling northwest on Virginia Road near Pingree Road when the crash occurred.
One of the motorcyclists lost control, resulting in collisions between four of the motorcyclists in the group.
One motorcyclist, identified by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office as Muniz, was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital.
Muniz was later pronounced dead due to blunt force trauma injuries, according to McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein. Full autopsy and toxicology results are pending.
Another motorcyclist was transported to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin where he was treated and released for non-life-threatening injuries.
Two other motorcycles were damaged during the crash, but their drivers did not sustain any injuries.
“He is irreplaceable and our lives will never be the same without him. He left us so suddenly but he left doing what he loved most, riding his motorcycle,” Jessica Muniz said.
Muniz leaves behind four of his children and four grandchildren. “Our family asks for your prayers and support at this time. We are planning to do a memorial service and burial to honor his life. We appreciate all the help we can get to help with expenses,” Jessica said.
No charges have been filed at this time. The roadway was closed for approximately five hours while a crash investigation was conducted.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Lake in the Hills Police Department.