A Cary man has been charged with reckless homicide after driving into oncoming traffic in Barrington and crashing into another vehicle, killing an off-duty police officer who was on his way to work.
The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded around 4:09 a.m. Sunday to the 200 block of South Northwest Highway in Barrington for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said a 2020 Kia Forte, driven by Christopher Lopez, 23, of Cary, was traveling northwest on Northwest Highway when he veered into the southeast-bound lanes of Northwest Highway.
Lopez’s vehicle struck a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Robert Fryc, 43, of Cary, as it was traveling southeast.
A 911 caller reported one person was possibly unresponsive and not breathing following the two-vehicle crash.
Firefighters arrived and extricated one of the victims from the wreckage, according to fire department radio traffic.
Fryc was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington where he was later pronounced dead, Daigle said.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was requested to assist in the investigation.
Daigle said Lopez was arrested following the crash for suspicion of driving under the influence.
He was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for further driving under the influence testing.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, against Lopez.
The Glenview Police Department said Fryc was an officer with their department. He was on his way to work when the crash occurred.
The Glenview Police Department said on Sunday they had sent home many of the dayshift officers who worked with Fryc and coverage of the shift was being assisted by Cook County and neighboring communities.
Fryc had been with the Glenview Police Department since 2007.
He was recently recognized at the village’s February 4 Board of Trustees meeting for being one of the first responders who helped save the life of a fellow officer last summer.
“Officer Fryc was more than just a colleague,” said Glenview Police Chief William Fitzpatrick.
“He was a part of our family and a part of this community. Our hearts are broken by his passing, and our priority now is to support his loved ones and our department as we grieve this unimaginable loss together,” Fitzpatrick said.
Glenview Village President Michael Jenny said the village is devastated by the tragic loss of Fryc, who just two weeks ago was “recognized for his service and dedication to Glenview.”
“On behalf of the entire Village, I extend our deepest condolences to Officer Fryc’s family, friends and fellow officers. When the time is right, we will come together as a community to honor and remember his service,” Jenny said.
The Village of Glenview and the Glenview Police Department said they ask for privacy and respect for Fryc’s family and colleagues as they mourn and navigate “this tremendous loss.”
The Lake County Coroner’s Office told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that Fryc was pronounced dead in Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital’s emergency room.
The coroner’s office will be performing an autopsy on Fryc on Tuesday morning.
Lopez is expected to be transported Tuesday to the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows for a detention hearing.