The coroner’s office has identified a father of six who died in a motorcycle crash along Route 14 in Woodstock as his wife says her husband was “taken from us way too soon.”
An autopsy showed that Nicholas Panosian, 40, of Harvard, died as a result of blunt force injuries from a motorcycle crash, according to the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.
The Woodstock Police Department and Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded around 6:19 a.m. Wednesday to the area of Route 14 and Washington Street in Woodstock for a motorcycle crash with injuries.
A passerby called 911 to report that a motorcyclist was down on the ground, according to fire department radio traffic.
The caller reported the victim was not conscious and not breathing.
Police officers arrived at the scene and reported the motorcyclist, later identified as Panosian, had been there for a while, radio traffic indicated.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said paramedics arrived and found Panosian in the ditch.
Panosian had suffered injuries “incompatible with life” and was pronounced dead at the scene, Vucha said.
Lucinda Lorraine Rodriguez, the wife of Panosian, said her husband was “taken from us way too soon” after he did not make it home.
“We do not know why God decided to take you from us so soon. This all feels unreal. I’m still waiting for you to walk through the door. I don’t know how to comprehend all of this,” Rodriguez said.
She described Panosian as a “very amazing man” who gave his all to their family, including their six children.
Another child who is on the way is expected to be born on what would have been Panosian’s 41st birthday.
“On top of our children, we also have two grandchildren. He was over the moon to be a pop-pop,” Rodriguez said.
She said Panosian always had a smile on his face when it came to anything with two wheels.
“I loved all our daily adventures whenever we would hop on a bike. I find solace in knowing he passed away doing what he loved,” Rodriguez said.
The McHenry County Regional Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was called to investigate the crash.
Woodstock Deputy Police Chief Ray Lanz said there was no indication that any other vehicles were involved in the cause of the crash.
Lanz said it is undetermined yet what factors played a role in the crash as MCAT is continuing to work the investigation. Toxicology test results are pending.
Lanz said that MCAT is also working to develop a timeline from prior to the crash to when the crash scene was discovered. It is unknown how long Panosian had been there before he was found.
A GoFundMe to help support Panosian’s family has raised nearly $4,000 as of Monday morning.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by MCAT and the Woodstock Police Department.