The coroner has released the identity of a 31-year-old motorcyclist who was involved in a crash with a car that left his motorcycle on fire and him trapped underneath the car in Waukegan.
The Waukegan Police Department and Waukegan Fire Department responded around 9:15 p.m. Monday to Green Bay Road and Sunset Avenue for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries and fire.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy came upon the crash while on patrol, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The crash involved a passenger car and a motorcycle and resulted in the motorcycle being engulfed in flames.
The motorcyclist was trapped underneath the car following the collision, which occurred in the intersection.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the operator on Wednesday as Jose Rodriguez, 31, of Waukegan.
Covelli said the sheriff’s deputy worked with a Waukegan police officer and the good Samaritans to lift the car and remove Rodriguez from underneath.
Waukegan first responders performed lifesaving measures on Rodriguez, who was unconscious and not breathing.
Rodriguez was rushed by ambulance to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead, Banek said.
Banek said Rodriguez was pronounced in the emergency room of the hospital.
An autopsy performed on Tuesday showed Rodriguez died as a result of blunt force injuries in the crash.
Officers shut down the intersection of Green Bay Road and Sunset Avenue for several hours while investigators worked at the scene.
The Waukegan Police Department has not said yet what they believe caused the crash or who was at fault.