The coroner says they are still working to identify a driver killed in a fiery crash with a tree near Woodstock Monday and the sheriff’s office said speed appears to be a factor in the crash.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 4:50 p.m. Monday to the 8200 block of Mason Hill Road in unincorporated Woodstock for a report of a vehicle fire.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said fire crews arrived and found a single-vehicle crash.
911 callers had reported that the whereabouts of the car’s occupant or occupants were unknown.
The sheriff’s office said Wednesday that a preliminary investigation showed the 2019 Chrysler 300 was traveling westbound on Mason Hill Road west of Cherry Valley Road.
The driver of the Chrysler failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway and drove off to the right, striking a tree.
The Chrysler caught on fire following the impact and became fully engulfed in flames, Vucha said.
A medical helicopter was initially placed on standby but was unavailable and later deemed not needed.
Firefighters deployed a hose line to begin extinguishing the fire. The fuel tank ruptured at that time, intensifying the fire, Vucha said.
Additional water resources were requested and firefighters applied a biodegradable, environmentally friendly foam to help smother the fire and prevent reignition.
Vucha said the driver of the vehicle, who was the sole occupant, was found dead inside the car after crews extinguished the fire.
Deputies shut down Mason Hill Road between Cherry Valley Road and Valley Hill Road for several hours during the crash investigation.
The sheriff’s office said the victim is believed to be a male subject but he has not been positively identified. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein said the fire has caused the delay in the identification of the victim.
Speed is believed to be a factor in the cause of the crash, sheriff’s officials said.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit continues to investigate the cause of the crash and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office continues working to identify the victim.