A celebration of life was held for a 50-year-old man who is being remembered as a “very outgoing” person who “lit up every room he walked in” after he was found dead following a crash near Richmond.
The Richmond Township Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:52 a.m. Tuesday to 374th Avenue and State Line Road in unincorporated Richmond for a vehicle crash.
Fire officials said it was reported that a vehicle was off the roadway east of Lakeview Road and one person was still inside the car.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified him on Wednesday as Jose Angel Gonzalez, 50, of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
An off-duty member of the Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Fire Department and Rescue Squad was on the scene providing lifesaving measures, fire officials said.
Fire crews arrived on the scene in nine minutes and found that a vehicle had driven off the roadway in the conservation area and sustained minimal damage.
The vehicle had been on the Wisconsin side of the state border when the crash began and it came to rest on the Illinois side of the border.
Fire officials said advanced life support care was initiated on Gonzalez, who was in cardiac arrest, but it was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Mercyhealth MD-1, which is a rapid mobile response doctor.
Richmond fire crews left the scene just after 8 a.m. They were assisted by the Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad, as well as the Town of Randall Fire Department.
An obituary for Gonzalez said he leaves behind a wife of 30 years and two children. He grew up in Chicago moved to the Wisconsin area in his mid-20s.
Gonzalez worked at Leica Biosystems in Spring Grove as an Operations Lead.
“Joe was very outgoing and lit up every room he walked in. He loved socializing and making everyone laugh. He was known for his kindness and always putting others first,” his family said in an obituary.
“His family will remember him for always being there for them. Joe loved playing pool and competed in many competitions in the local area,” the obituary added.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, which also responded, said Gonzalez was driving a black 2012 GMC Terrain SUV.
The GMC was located approximately 50 yards south of State Line Road resting on a berm.
A preliminary investigation shows the GMC was traveling southbound on County Highway HM, also known as 374th Avenue, when it left the roadway and continued south across State Line Road where it came to rest on the berm, the sheriff’s office said.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Assistance Team responded to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation.
The investigation showed there was no indication that speed, alcohol or drugs were contributing factors, sheriff’s officials said.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of Gonzalez before later releasing him to his family for funeral arrangements.
Rein said it was determined that Gonzalez had no injuries from the crash and instead appeared to have had a medical event that led to it.
“This is a tragic loss for the individual’s family and loved ones. Our deputies and emergency responders acted quickly and professionally in their efforts to provide aid,” Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family during this difficult time. Incidents like this are a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and the importance of looking out for one another on our roadways,” Zoerner said.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry County Coroner’s Office handled the death investigation, while the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crash portion.
“We thank all agencies for their assistance. The Richmond Township Fire Protection District expresses our condolences and prayers to the family,” the Richmond Fire District said.
A celebration of life was held on Sunday at George’s Pub and Grill in Twin Lakes.