McHenry man killed in Nunda Township motorcycle crash

A McHenry man died Sunday night after his motorcycle crashed into a guardrail in unincorporated Nunda Township, authorities said.

A preliminary investigation determined a motorcycle driven by 35-year-old Merrick Gehrke was southbound on River Road at Black Partridge Road about 11:30 p.m., according to a news release from the McHenry County sheriff's office.

Officials said the motorcycle left the road for an "unknown reason" and hit a guardrail, causing Gehrke, the sole passenger, to be ejected.

Gehrke, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The cause of the crash has not been determined. The sheriff's traffic crash investigations Unit and the county coroner's office are investigating.