The sheriff and fire chiefs say they urge the public to drive safely after three fatal crashes, including one that left a child dead, occurred in McHenry County in 12 hours, leaving families “forever changed.”
McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman said three fatal vehicle crashes occurred in McHenry County in the span of about 12 hours on Monday into Tuesday.
“Our hearts are with the families forever changed by these tragedies,” he said.
An 11-year-old child was left dead and a 29-year-old man was seriously injured after a T-bone crash in the area of Kishwaukee Valley Road and Deerpass Road in unincorporated Marengo around 6:40 p.m. Monday.
An adult male died after a crash involving a pickup truck and a commercial truck in the area of Kishwaukee Valley Road and South Hughes Road in unincorporated Woodstock around 5:50 a.m. Tuesday.
An adult male also died after a crash involving a pickup truck that rolled over onto its roof in a field in the 19700 block of Hebron Road in unincorporated Harvard just before 7 a.m. Tuesday.
“We’re urging every driver: slow down, stay alert, and make responsible decisions behind the wheel. Your life, and the lives of others, depend on it,” Tadelman said.
In addition to the three fatal crashes, a fourth crash involving a Jeep and a semi-truck near Route 14 and Bunker Hill Road in unincorporated Woodstock left a man seriously injured and required him to be flown to the hospital Monday morning.
Tadelman said the sheriff’s office is taking the incidents seriously and deputies are conducting directed traffic patrols and increasing visibility in high-risk areas while monitoring for speeding, distracted driving and impaired operating.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit is working to identify contributing factors in the crashes.
The sheriff’s office said motorists should slow down, put their phones down, buckle up, drive sober and stay alert.
“Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts. And please, drive carefully, drive responsibly, and do your part to prevent another tragedy,” Tadelman said.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Chief Brendan Parker and John Kimmel, who is the fire chief for both the Harvard Fire Protection District and the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts, issued a joint statement following the serious crashes.
“While the circumstances and outcomes of each incident varied, the impact has been felt across the communities we serve and among those who responded. Each incident had a deep impact, and we recognize the challenges faced by those involved,” the two chiefs said.
“The pace of these back-to-back incidents demanded focus, endurance, and a high level of coordination. That level of cooperation reflects the strength of our regional partnerships and the mutual aid system we depend on every day. These responses took place during periods of oppressive heat, with the heat index nearing or exceeding 100 degrees, further adding to the physical demands placed on responders across the region,” the statement said.
The fire chiefs said their thoughts are not only with the victims and their families, but also with the first responders.
“Calls like these take a toll. They are emotionally heavy, and we remain committed to supporting the well-being of those who answer the call, regardless of time or circumstance.”
“These responses are a reflection of the professionalism and resilience that exist across our departments. They also serve as a reminder of the importance of continued public support for the people and systems that make this level of care possible,” the chiefs said.