The owner of a Buffalo Grove dance school is being remembered as “truly a larger-than-life figure” after he was fatally struck by a car while on his morning jog in Buffalo Grove.
The Buffalo Grove Fire Department and Buffalo Grove Police Department responded around 8 a.m. Monday to the intersection of Buffalo Grove Road and Larraway Drive for a report of a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
An initial report from a 911 caller indicated the pedestrian had been struck by a school bus.
Officers learned the school bus was involved in a separate crash at the same location but was not the vehicle that struck the pedestrian, police said. No injuries were reported at the bus crash.
Police officials said officers found the male pedestrian with significant injuries. He was reported to be unresponsive at the scene.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the pedestrian as Roman Mazur, 87, of Buffalo Grove.
Mazur was struck by a gray Toyota sedan, which had been traveling southbound on Buffalo Grove Road.
Mazur was pronounced dead at the scene. He was then transported by ambulance to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
While he was transported to a Cook County hospital, the Lake County Coroner’s Office assumed the case following a discussion with the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office over jurisdictional issues.
Banek said an autopsy performed Tuesday showed Mazur died as a result of blunt force injuries.
Police officials said the driver of the Toyota, a 60-year-old Buffalo Grove woman, was transported to Northwest Community Hospital for precautionary measures.
The Buffalo Grove Police Department Traffic Unit and Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Buffalo Grove Road was shut down between Thompson Boulevard and Deerfield Parkway for approximately four hours due to the incident. The road was reopened by 12 p.m.
It is unclear whether Mazur was crossing the street or off of the roadway when he was struck, police said. No citations or charges have been filed.
Mazur was the owner of Mazurdance School in Buffalo Grove.
A statement from Mazur’s wife said her husband died in a “tragic mishap” while returning from his morning jog.
“It is impossible to express in words the pain and sorrow for a person dear to me and you,” Tatyana Mazur said in a statement originally written in Russian that was translated into English.
Mazur leaves behind his wife and a child. He was also a grandfather.
Julia Khrakovsky, a niece of Mazur, said her uncle was “truly a larger-than-life figure” whose passion for dance and creativity “inspired countless individuals.”
Mazur began his journey over 60 years ago in Kiev, Ukraine, where he founded the ensemble “A Flight Over Kiev.”
After immigrating to the United States, he established Mazurdance and later opened a studio in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as the artistic director in both locations.
“His dedication to the art of dance was evident in every performance, as he created not just dance routines but theatrical experience that captivated audiences,” Khrakovsky said.
“Roman is remembered as a visionary choreographer and a producer, known for his unique approach to dance, composition, and costume design. Every move, every breath, and every dance was filled with purpose and passion,” Khrakovsky said.
A funeral service is set for Friday afternoon at Chicago Jewish Funerals – Buffalo Grove Chapel.
A GoFundMe to help pay for the funeral expenses has raised over $5,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Buffalo Grove Police Department and MCAT.