Authorities say two men were killed and a third man was injured after a high-speed UTV crash resulted in power lines coming down and a fire near Hebron Saturday evening.
The Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 10:50 p.m. Saturday to the 13300 block of Thayer Road in unincorporated Hebron for a vehicle crash with injuries.
A 911 caller reported the incident involved a UTV. The Harvard Fire Protection District, Mercyhealth MD-1, Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Wonder Lake Fire Protection District were called to assist.
A preliminary investigation showed a UTV, driven by a 40-year-old Harvard man, was traveling eastbound on Thayer Road.
The UTV, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, exited the roadway and severed a utility pole, knocking down power lines, the sheriff’s office said.
The UTV had two passengers, a 36-year-old Harvard man and a 35-year-old San Carlos, California man.
Sheriff’s officials said the UTV rolled over several times, resulting in the driver being ejected.
The UTV came to rest upright in a ditch and caught on fire.
The 40-year-old driver and 36-year-old passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.
The 35-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries and declined medical attention.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, the sheriff’s office said. The identity of the two victims is being withheld until an autopsy.
The crash remains under investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit and McHenry County Coroner’s Office.