Name of driver killed in Deer Park crash released

The name of a Palatine man who was killed Tuesday when his disabled car was struck by an SUV while he was beneath it in Deer Park has been released by authorities.

Richard A. Krzysztofiak, 95, died of blunt force injuries, the Lake County coroner’s office announced Thursday following an autopsy. Krzysztofiak was crushed by the car and the impact of the crash, said Deputy Chief Chris Covelli of the Lake County sheriff’s office.

Krzysztofiak’s 2006 Honda Accord stalled on Lake-Cook Road, just east of Quentin Road at about 3 p.m. Tuesday. While Krzysztofiak was examining the underside of his car, it was struck from behind by a 2024 Honda HR-V driven by a 30-year-old Cary man, the sheriff’s office said.

Krzysztofiak died on the scene. The Cary man and a female passenger in his SUV were injured, as was a woman in Krzysztofiak’s car. All were expected to survive, police said.

A school bus also was struck. The driver was the only occupant and wasn’t hurt.

The crash remains under investigation. Police are awaiting the results of toxicology tests and hope to determine the speed of the SUV before the crash, Covelli said.