July 26, 2025
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Police describe car suspected in hit-and-run that killed teen on bike near Crystal Lake

By Diana Wallace, Michelle Meyer and Janelle Walker
Markings from a police investigation remain on a roadway on July 3, 2025, near Crystal Lake where a 15-year-old boy was fatally hit by a car the night before. Police said the driver fled the scene.

Markings from a police investigation remain on a roadway on July 3, 2025, near Crystal Lake where a 15-year-old boy was fatally hit by a car the night before. Police said the driver fled the scene. (Gregory Shaver)

Police said a teen was hit by a car and killed while riding a bicycle near Crystal Lake and that the driver fled the scene.

Officials on Thursday afternoon said they are looking for a dark-colored, possibly red, 2017 or 2018 Jeep Cherokee, as a possible suspect vehicle in the crash.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said two 15-year-old boys were riding bikes on Terra Cotta Road near Deering Oaks Lane when an unknown vehicle traveling south struck one of the bicycles from behind and fled without stopping.

The teen was pronounced dead at Northwestern McHenry Hospital, police said.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office is asking the public or body shops to phone in tips about similar vehicles reporting front end damage following a fatal hit and run on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office is asking the public or body shops to phone in tips about similar vehicles reporting front end damage following a fatal hit and run on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities have not identified the boy. A woman posted on Facebook that it was her son who died and that “I pray that they find” the driver.

An autopsy performed by McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein found blunt force injuries as the cause of death, according to a coroner’s office news release. The toxicology report is pending. The coroner’s office was notified about 11 p.m. by Northwestern Hospital McHenry to investigate the death, according to the release.

The coroner’s office is continuing to work collaboratively with the McHenry County Sheriff and Crystal Lake Fire Protection District, according to the release.

McHenry County Sheriff cars parked near the location of where a 15-year-old boy was fatally hit by a car the night before. Police said the driver fled the scene.

McHenry County Sheriff cars parked near the location of where a 15-year-old boy was fatally hit by a car the night before. Police said the driver fled the scene. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver Shaw Media )

The sheriff’s office is asking the public, local body shops and/or dealerships to contact investigators if they come across a dark colored 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee with front end damage. Tips can be phoned in to 815-338-2144.

A sheriff’s alert posted about 10 p.m. Wednesday reported that Terra Cotta Road would be shut down for several hours between East Hillside and Old Westbury roads, an area north of Crystal Lake, northwest of where Routes 31 and 176 intersect.

An alert about five hours later indicated the road had reopened.

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