Authorities have identified the 50-year-old man who was found dead after his vehicle crashed off the roadway near Richmond on Tuesday morning, in what officials are calling a “tragic loss.”
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein confirmed Wednesday that the deceased was Jose Angel Gonzalez, 50, of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
Emergency crews from the Richmond Township Fire Protection District and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 6:52 a.m. to the area of 374th Avenue and State Line Road in unincorporated Richmond following reports of a vehicle off the roadway east of Lakeview Road with one person still inside.
An off-duty member of the Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad was already at the scene providing lifesaving measures when crews arrived about nine minutes later. Responders found a black 2012 GMC Terrain SUV that had traveled off the roadway into a conservation area, sustaining minimal damage.
According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle had been traveling southbound on County Highway HM, also known as 374th Avenue, on the Wisconsin side of the state line when it left the roadway. The SUV continued south across State Line Road and came to rest approximately 50 yards into Illinois on a berm.
Advanced life support care was initiated after Gonzalez was found in cardiac arrest. Despite extensive efforts by emergency personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene by a Mercyhealth MD-1 rapid response physician.
A preliminary investigation conducted by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Assistance Team found no indication that speed, alcohol, or drugs were contributing factors in the crash. Coroner Rein stated that Gonzalez had no apparent injuries from the collision and instead appeared to have suffered a medical event that led to the vehicle leaving the roadway.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office took custody of Gonzalez before later releasing him to his family for funeral arrangements.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner expressed condolences to Gonzalez’s loved ones.
“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,” 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.”
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry County Coroner’s Office are handling the death investigation, while the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is leading the crash investigation.
