The sheriff announced that the hit-and-run suspect wanted for fatally striking a 15-year-old boy riding his bicycle before fleeing near Crystal Lake has been found dead in Woodstock.
The Woodstock Police Department responded on Friday evening to a residence in Woodstock for a death investigation.
Officers located a vehicle matching the description of a suspect vehicle used in a fatal hit-and-run that occurred on Wednesday evening near Crystal Lake.
Officers notified the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office of the discovery and the sheriff’s office confirmed it was the suspect vehicle involved in the hit-and-run.
A further investigation determined that the deceased person was also the driver in the hit-and-run, sheriff’s officials said Monday.
No one else is believed to be involved in the hit-and-run crash and the sheriff’s office said they are not searching for additional suspects.
The circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated by the Woodstock Police Department and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.
The suspect was wanted in the death of Nicholas “Nick” Laureys, 15, of Crystal Lake, around 9:35 p.m. Wednesday at Terra Cotta Road and Deering Oaks Lane in unincorporated Crystal Lake.
A 911 caller reported a juvenile, later identified as Laureys, had been struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle.
Laureys was initially reported to be unresponsive and deputies reported he was deceased but they were performing lifesaving measures.
A LifeNet medical helicopter was placed on standby but canceled.
Laureys was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry where he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Unit responded to conduct a crash reconstruction.
The sheriff’s office said a preliminary investigation shows that Laureys, along with a second 15-year-old, were riding their bicycles southbound on Terra Cotta Road.
A southbound vehicle, later identified as a dark red 2018 Jeep Cherokee, struck Laurey’s from behind.
The driver of the Jeep did not stop and fled the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
The bicycle that was struck had an activated red taillight at the time.
Investigators were seen taking photographs of the scene. The child’s bicycle, along with the second bicycle, were seen lying in the ditch along Terra Cotta Road.
Terra Cotta Road was shut down between East Hillside Road and Old Westbury Road for several hours and reopened around 2:20 a.m.
The mother of the child, Jill Laureys, told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that Nick was her oldest son. He was set to turn 16 on July 24.
Jill Laureys said her son was riding his bicycle with friends after fishing nearby. The boy leaves behind his two brothers, ages 4 and 12.
Lance Laureys, the boy’s uncle, said Nick loved his siblings deeply and was always looking out for them.
“He loved being outdoors, working on his ATV or my truck, helping with chores, and caring for his beloved pets, Oreo the cat and Tara the dog. Nick was always surrounded by friends, whether he was shooting hoops with the neighbor’s donated basketball hoop, gaming with his uncle, or golfing with his friend Jacob,” Lance Laureys said.
The 15-year-old’s loss has “left a hole in our family and our community,” his uncle said.
A GoFundMe account has been created to help the family pay for the unexpected funeral and memorial expenses. It has raised over $7,000 so far.
Extra funds are set to be placed into a trust to be used for something meaningful in the boy’s memory, such as a reflective shirt for kids or a reflective drawstring backpack, Lance Laureys said.
“Nick was a caring, spirited teenager who pushed boundaries but always knew how much he was loved. Our best memories are simple moments together, like playing hide and seek with our ATVs at the farm or talking through tough times,” the boy’s uncle said.
After announcing the suspect was found dead, the sheriff’s office said they are “thankful for the partnership of our fellow first responders and the continued support of the community.”
“The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.”