11-Year-Old Child Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash Near Marengo, Illinois
MARENGO, IL — A devastating two-vehicle crash in rural McHenry County on Monday evening has claimed the life of an 11-year-old child, according to officials from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Monday, June 24, near the intersection of Deerpass Road and Kishwaukee Valley Road in unincorporated Marengo, a community roughly 60 miles northwest of Chicago.
Authorities say a 2016 Ford Transit van, traveling northbound on Deerpass Road, failed to stop at a posted stop sign and entered the intersection, where it struck a 2012 Audi Q5 that was heading east on Kishwaukee Valley Road.
The force of the impact caused the Audi to leave the roadway and crash into a nearby tree.
An 11-year-old child, who was a passenger in the Audi, was pronounced dead at the scene. As of Tuesday morning, the McHenry County Coroner’s Office has not publicly released the child’s name, pending notification of family members.
The driver and other occupants of the Audi sustained injuries and were transported to area hospitals. The extent of their injuries has not been disclosed. Authorities have not provided details regarding the condition of those inside the Ford Transit van.
The crash prompted an immediate emergency response, and the intersection was closed for several hours as the McHenry County Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit processed the scene and began an extensive investigation. Investigators are working to determine whether factors such as speeding, distraction, or impairment played a role in the collision.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for the family and the community,” the sheriff’s office said in a brief statement released Monday night.
Residents familiar with the area noted that the intersection, located in a rural part of the county with limited lighting and signage, has been a concern for years. Some neighbors are now calling for increased safety measures, including flashing stop signs or potential traffic signals.
No citations or charges have been filed as of Tuesday.
The investigation remains active, and officials are urging anyone with information to contact the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at (815) 338-2144.