The community is raising money to pay for the funeral expenses of a father of three who was killed when an SUV crashed head-on into his car in Round Lake, in what was described as a “terrible” crash.
An autopsy performed last week showed Wojciech Jaworski, 47, of Wheeling, died as a result of blunt force injuries from a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The Round Lake Police Department and Grayslake Fire Protection District responded around 8:14 a.m. on January 16 to the area of Route 60 and Bacon Road in Round Lake for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
Round Lake Police Chief David Prus said officers arrived to find three vehicles involved west of the intersection.
A Dodge Durango was traveling eastbound on Route 60 in the area where the two eastbound lanes merge into one lane, Prus said.
Prus said a preliminary investigation showed the Dodge overtook a vehicle near the merge in the roadway and possibly lost control.
The Dodge crossed into the westbound lane of traffic and struck a westbound Toyota Camry, driven by Jaworski, head-on.
Prus said a Volkswagen Jetta then struck the rear of the Dodge. The drivers of the Toyota and Dodge were trapped in their vehicles.
A medical helicopter was initially requested to the scene for Jaworski, who was unconscious and not breathing. The helicopter was later canceled.
Firefighters extricated both drivers and paramedics transported all three drivers to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Prus said.
Jaworski was pronounced dead at the hospital from his injuries.
The two other drivers involved suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Prus said. There were no passengers in any of the cars.
Route 60 was shut down at the scene for approximately four hours while the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) conducted an investigation.
Lynn Kuriniec, who is a friend and neighbor of the Jaworski family, said Jaworski was the victim of a “terrible car accident” and that it was “devastating news.”
Jaworski was on his way to work when the crash occurred. He leaves behind three children — ages 11, 13, and 15 — and his wife of 22 years.
Kuriniec said the Lexington Commons community where they live has shown generous support for the family but they still have a “long way to go.”
Kuriniec created a GoFundMe account for the family which has raised over $9,500 this week.
The funds will go toward funeral expenses and provide a safety net for the family’s immediate needs.