A car became engulfed in flames after it crashed into a tree in the 8200 block of Mason Hill Road in unincorporated Woodstock, leaving the driver dead at the scene Monday afternoon. | Photo: WFRD

A Wonder Lake man has been identified as the victim of a crash near Woodstock where the vehicle he was driving left him trapped inside as the car became fully engulfed in flames.

Nathaniel Hofmann, 25, was identified by McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein as the person involved in the single-person car accident around the 8200 block of Mason Hill Road on March 3.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District fire crews and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and found a single-vehicle crash at 4:52 p.m. on March 3, said Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.

911 callers reported the whereabouts of the car’s occupant or occupants were unknown.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said a preliminary investigation showed the 2019 Chrysler 300 was traveling westbound on Mason Hill Road west of Cherry Valley Road when the driver failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway and drove off to the right, striking a tree.

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The car caught on fire following the impact and became fully engulfed in flames, Vucha said.

McHenry County sheriff previously said speed is believed to have been an impact in the crash.

A car became engulfed in flames after it crashed into a tree in the 8200 block of Mason Hill Road in unincorporated Woodstock, leaving the driver dead at the scene Monday afternoon. | Photo Submitted to Lake and McHenry County Scanner

The driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, authorities 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 victim was the sole occupant of the car and was found dead inside 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.

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Rein said at the time of the crash the fire caused some delays in identifying Hofmann.

McHenry County Coroner’s Office continues to work with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office regarding the accident.