Investigators have identified a suspect and seized the car believed to have killed a 24-year-old man in a hit-and-run near Island Lake just days before his birthday.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Wauconda Fire Protection District responded around 10:50 p.m. Friday to the 4300 block of Roberts Road in unincorporated Island Lake for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
911 callers reported a male, later identified as Austin Stanek, 24, of Island Lake, had been struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.
Stanek was not conscious and not breathing and CPR was started on him, according to fire department radio traffic.
Paramedics arrived and confirmed Stanek was unresponsive.
He was transported by ambulance to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office said Stanek was pronounced dead in the emergency room after arriving at the hospital.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said a preliminary investigation showed several pedestrians were walking on or near the roadway when an unknown white vehicle struck Stanek.
The force of the impact caused the man to be thrown into the ditch and the vehicle continued driving.
The sheriff’s office said debris from the offending vehicle’s front and right side were located at the scene and collected as evidence.
The Island Lake Police Department and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office began searching for the hit-and-run vehicle.
Roberts Road was shut down for several hours while investigators worked at the scene.
The sheriff’s office announced in an update Thursday morning that investigators, through their investigation, have recovered a white SUV and identified a person of interest believed to be involved in the crash.
Sheriff’s officials said the investigation is still underway and the suspect has not been arrested yet.
An obituary for Stanek, who was a 2018 Wauconda High School graduate, said he died just days before his October 4 birthday.
“Athletic to his core, he loved playing baseball and basketball as a kid and after high school, diving into sand volleyball and golf. He loved the competition, but more than that, he loved the people,” the obituary said.
Stanek had a “knack for bringing others together” and was described as having an “easygoing nature” that made everyone feel welcome. “… it was impossible to be around him without feeling his positive energy.”
Stanek worked for a home remodeling services company alongside his cousin. “Together, they were a successful team designing and remodeling homes,” the obituary said.
Stanek leaves behind his parents, brother, grandparents, a large extended family and a dog.
A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for Friday at Davenport Family Funeral Home in Crystal Lake.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at 815-338-2144.