The Beelow family is mourning the death of a 31-year-old man, described as having a “kind and caring heart” who was willing to help anyone, after he died when his SUV collided into a brick sign in Mundelein.
An autopsy performed Monday showed that Lukas Beelow, 31, of Mundelein, died as a result of blunt force injuries as a result of a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The Mundelein Police Department and Mundelein Fire Department responded around 1:50 a.m. Sunday to the area of Chevy Chase Road and Hawley Street in Mundelein for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment.
Fire crews arrived and found a car off the roadway with heavy damage.
Mundelein Chief of Police Jason Seeley said officers confirmed the crash involved a single-vehicle, a black Chevrolet SUV.
The Chevrolet had struck the brick sign at the entrance to Grand Dominion by Del Webb.
The car went off the roadway just north of Hawley Street, Seeley said.
The driver, later identified as Beelow, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to take possession of Beelow for an autopsy.
Seeley said no other occupants were believed to have been in the car when the crash occurred.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was activated and responded to the scene to investigate the incident.
A resident in the area heard the loud crash and was the one to call 911 to report it, Seeley said.
An obituary said the family was experiencing “unimaginable sadness” and that the man grew up on the Beelow family farm in Grayslake and Mundelein where he developed a “deep love” for agriculture, family, animals and the outdoors.
Beelow was proud of earning Grand Champion Steer and Grand Champion Barrow honors at the Lake County Fair. He also exhibited livestock at the Illinois and Wisconsin State fairs, representing the Beelow family and the agricultural community.
Beelow attended Fremont School and Mundelein High School. “Everyone who knew Lukas loved him more than he ever realized.”
Beelow enjoyed restoring equipment and vehicles with his father and grandfather and was a member of a gun club, his obituary said.
“Lukas was known for his generous heart. He was the friend who would drop everything to lend a hand, help build a deck, watch a friend’s dog, offer advice, or simply show up when someone needed him. Whether it was tackling a project, helping a neighbor, or supporting a friend through a difficult time, Lukas was always there for the people he cared about,” his obituary said.
“He was fiercely loyal, deeply caring, and protective of the people he loved. Everyone who knew him knew they could count on him,” the obituary said.
His family said in the obituary that Beelow’s life was “far too short” but it was “filled with love, friendship, laughter, hard work, and unforgettable memories.”
“The impact he made on those around him will continue to be felt for generations… He will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved,” they said.
The roadway at the crash scene was shut down for approximately four hours on Sunday morning before being reopened following the investigation and removal of the vehicle by a tow truck.
Seeley said earlier this week that he does not have any information on possible contributing factors to the crash yet.
The incident remains under active investigation by MCAT and the Mundelein Police Department.
A celebration of life will be held at Beelow’s Steakhouse in Lake Zurich from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday.