Elderly man dies after minor crash in Crystal Lake
A 91-year-old man was found unconscious and unresponsive in his car Friday morning in Crystal Lake as his vehicle came to rest on the side of the road, authorities said.
Crystal Lake fire and police departments found the man at 11:12 a.m. inside his 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan along the shoulder of Route 31, just north of Route 14, according to a news release.
Despite attempts to revive the man, he was pronounced dead at Centegra Hospital in McHenry.
He was later identified as Richard S. Partyka, of an unincorporated area near Crystal Lake.
Police said a passing motorist had witnessed the vehicle traveling north in the curb lane of Route 31 slow down and drift toward the shoulder. The car struck a guardrail, then continued a short distance before coming to rest.
“The death of Mr. Partyka is inconsistent with the manner and severity of the crash,” according to the police news release. Police and McHenry County coroner’s office said they would continue to investigate.
No other injuries were reported.