Workplace death in Wauconda under investigation

Authorities are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man who was crushed beneath a vehicle Tuesday in Wauconda.

Rescue personnel were called about 8:52 a.m. to a report of a person trapped beneath a passenger vehicle at Hard Times General Repair, 398 W. Liberty St., Unit D.

First responders found the man pinned under the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was lifted and the man pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Wauconda police, the vehicle was about 5 feet in the air when the rear end came off the lift while the man was beneath. He was unable to escape before the front end also came off the lift, crushing him, police said.

Authorities identified the man as Matthew Pfister of North Chicago. An autopsy conducted Wednesday determined Pfister died from blunt-force injuries, the Lake County Coroner’s Office said.

Wauconda police and the Lake County Coroner’s Office are investigating and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been contacted.