Lake Marie fatality still under investigation

Authorities are investigating the crash that killed a 28-year-old Antioch man while he was riding a personal watercraft on the Chain O' Lakes.

Lake County sheriff's police Deputy Chief Wayne Hunter said Russell Neeleman was riding his 2004 Yamaha personal watercraft on Lake Marie in Antioch Township when he was struck by Arkadiy Starobin, 70, of Skokie, who was piloting an open-bow pleasure boat. The crash happened about 6:35 p.m. Sunday.

McHenry County Deputy Coroner Robert Locke said Neeleman died from blunt trauma to his head and left leg.

Hunter said Starobin was with his wife and a daughter on a 24-foot Azure westbound on Lake Marie, traveling about 30 to 40 mph, when he began turning left and struck Neeleman. He said Neeleman was on an orange-and-black watercraft.

No charges have been filed, but the crash remained under investigation Monday, Hunter said. He said Starobin has been cooperating with police.

Witnesses near the crash and rescue crews from the Antioch Township Fire Protection District tried to save Neeleman, who was pronounced dead at Centegra Hospital-McHenry.

"I can tell you the Antioch fire rescue efforts to keep Mr. Neeleman alive were nothing short of heroic," Hunter said.

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said there was little traffic on Lake Marie when the crash occurred. He said the lake doesn't have a posted speed limit for boaters.

Curran said Neeleman's death is a sad start to the Chain O' Lakes boating season. He said boaters must be vigilant about keeping an eye out for those on personal watercraft.

"Everyone has to understand how serious boating can be," Curran said.