A Grayslake teen who was killed in a violent crash on Washington Street in Grayslake is being remembered as a “friendly giant” with a “kind soul full of compassion, warmth and sincerity.”
The funeral visitation for Jonathan “Jon” Williams, 19, of Grayslake, is set to take place from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. today at the Ringa Funeral Home, 122 S. Milwaukee Avenue in Lake Villa.
There will be a family-led service from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m., Williams’ obituary reads.
Williams was killed following a violent crash on Washington Street in Grayslake on February 2.
The obituary released by Ringa Funeral Home in Lake Villa said Williams was a high school graduate who carried a soulful passion for computers and was an avid car enthusiast.
He planned to further his education in mechanics, pursuing the future he was excited to build, the obituary reads.
He was an active part of his community, the obituary continued, and was always willing to lend a hand and help those in need.
“He will forever be remembered as our “friendly giant” — a kind soul full of compassion, warmth, and sincerity,” the obituary reads. “Jonathan had friends and family both near and far, and his presence brought comfort and light to those who knew him.”
Grayslake Police responded to an accident with injuries at the intersection of Washington Street and Atkinson Road at 2:13 p.m., where police discovered a black Volkswagen had collided with a blue Toyota SUV.
Initial reports show Williams was traveling eastbound on Washington Street when it struck a westbound Toyota SUV, driven by an 86-year-old female.
Police said the Toyota was attempting to turn southbound onto Atkinson Road before the crash, police said.
The Volkswagen left the roadway after striking the Toyota and collided with a traffic light pole on the southeast side of the intersection, police said.
It took fire crews 16 minutes to extract Williams from the Volkswagen before he could be transported to the hospital, fire officials said.
Williams was pronounced dead in the emergency room of Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville due to blunt force injuries to the head as a result of the crash, Lake County Coroner officials said.
Police said the 86-year-old female was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team was called in to assist the Grayslake Police with the crash investigation, police said.
The obituary continued that Williams is survived by his parents, his stepmother, two brothers, and a sister.
People wishing to offer condolences are asked to consider a contribution in Jonathan’s memory to the College of Lake County Dream Free Scholarship Program.