Funeral services were held for a 17-year-old Barrington High School student, remembered as an “exceptional intellect” with “tremendous potential,” after he was ejected and died in a rollover crash in Barrington Hills.
The Barrington Hills Police Department and Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District responded around 2:23 a.m. on July 25 to the area of Brinker Road and Hills and Dales Road in Barrington Hills for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Officers arrived and found a male victim ejected from the vehicle, according to Barrington Hills Police Department Public Information Officer William Walsh.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Colin M. Newnam, 17, of Barrington.
Emergency crews began lifesaving measures but Newnam was pronounced dead at the scene.
An obituary for Newnam said he was preparing to begin his senior year at Barrington High School where he challenged himself with advanced classes.
“His teachers recognized in him an exceptional intellect and tremendous potential, but what they admired most was the remarkable young man he was becoming,” his obituary said.
A preliminary investigation showed the Mercedes SUV was traveling northbound on Brinker Road, Walsh said.
The Mercedes left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck several trees.
The car rolled over and came to rest off the roadway on its side, ejecting Newnam.
Walsh said two other occupants were inside the vehicle. Firefighters had to extricate them from the wreckage.
Both were transported to area hospitals. Their conditions and ages were not released.
Walsh said speed was a contributing factor in the crash, which involved a large tree coming down upon the impact.
The crash was so severe that the Mercedes’ engine and transmission were left detached from the vehicle and were seen sitting in the roadway.
The Village of Barrington said in a statement that Newnam was a local high school student and resident. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, classmates, educators, neighbors and all those whose lives were touched by Colin.”
“This heartbreaking loss is felt beyond our Village, and our thoughts are with everyone who is grieving during this difficult time. May we continue to support one another with kindness and compassion as we honor Colin’s life,” the village said.
Newnam was employed at Yuppie Puppie Grooming and was training to become a dog groomer. His lifelong dream was to service his community as a police officer.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was activated and responded to the scene to conduct a crash investigation that lasted several hours and shut down the roadway until later that morning.
“A natural problem-solver, Colin was incredibly handy and mechanically inclined. He loved working on cars, figuring out how things worked, and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on especially Legos,” his obituary said.
His family said he had a heart that naturally drew people together.
“His teachers and principal describe him as a unifier—someone who instinctively noticed when another person was standing alone and made sure they felt included. He was the kind of young man who welcomed everyone, regardless of background or social circle,” they said in his obituary.
“He will be remembered for his intelligence, friendly nature, outgoing personality, thoughtfulness, and remarkable selflessness. Colin constantly put others before himself, carried himself with exceptional manners, and treated everyone with kindness and respect. His sincerity was one of his greatest gifts,” his obituary said.
Newnam leaves behind his parents, five siblings, a girlfriend, family dogs and grandparents, along with many other family members.
A visitation was held on Monday at Davenport Family Funeral Home in Barrington.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Barrington Hills Police Department and MCAT.