A couple from Woodstock was seriously injured after the motorcycle they were riding on crashed in Barrington Hills on Sunday.
The Fox River Grove Fire Protection District and Barrington Hills Police Department responded around 4:41 p.m. Sunday to Wolf Road and Algonquin Road for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
Emergency crews arrived to find a motorcycle that crashed into a guardrail with two people injured, according to Barrington Hills Police Department Spokesman William Walsh.
The Fox River Grove Police Department and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene to assist with traffic control by closing the road, Fox River Grove Police Chief Eric Waitrovich said.
Paramedics transported the male driver of the motorcycle by ambulance to a landing zone near the Algonquin Road School, 975 Algonquin Road in Fox River Grove.
The male was transferred into the LifeNet medical helicopter, which flew him to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, according to friends of the victim.
Paramedics transported a female passenger by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
The Barrington Hills Police Department is investigating the crash. It is unclear how it was caused.
John Dabe, who is a family member of the motorcycle driver, Mike Rossi, has created a GoFundMe account for the couple.
It has already raised over $3,500 in an hour with a $50,000 goal.
Dabe said that Rossi and his girlfriend, Paige Fijolek, are in “rough shape” and both will need multiple surgeries and years of rehab.
“At the same time, they are alive and they need our help. I started this because they would do the same for any of us. They would give you the shirt off their backs if they considered you a friend. If you have met either of these two I guarantee they put a smile on your face at least once,” Dabe said.
“They truly are two of my favorite people and we need to all do our part and come together. Life is short and we need to be thankful for everything we have. I am extremely grateful that they are both alive, but this is a long road ahead,” Dabe added.