A tragic incident unfolded on Illinois Route 176 near Union, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. The McHenry County Sheriff's Office reported a two-vehicle head-on collision that occurred on the morning of March 16. Responders from multiple departments, including the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Marengo Police Department, and rescue departments from Harvard, Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Huntley, Union, and Marengo were dispatched to the crash site.
According to the Sheriff's office, the collision involved a 2007 Kia Sportage, driven by a 40-year-old Marengo man, who was heading eastbound, and a 2016 Mazda CX-5, driven by a 64-year-old Crystal Lake man on the westbound lane. The accident, which happened near the 17100 block of Illinois Route 176 to the east of North Union Road, resulted in both vehicles remaining on the highway following the crash.
Four individuals were injured in the incident. The driver of the Mazda was taken to Northwestern Hospital Huntley in critical condition, and a 64-year-old Crystal Lake woman, a passenger in the Mazda, was transported to Northwestern Hospital McHenry in stable condition. An 89-year-old female passenger in the Mazda was also transported to Northwestern Hospital Huntley but was pronounced dead. The Kia's driver refused treatment, and a 17-year-old Marengo juvenile passenger in the Kia was taken to Mercyhealth Hospital Crystal Lake in good condition. A 37-year-old Marengo man was taken in good condition to Northwestern Hospital Huntley.
As the investigation continues, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office are examining the circumstances leading up to the accident. Weather conditions are believed to have been a factor contributing to the severity of the crash. The Sheriff's office indicated that all victims, except one, were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available concerning this tragic event.
