ILLINOIS — A tragic sequence of crashes across McHenry County within just 12 hours has left three people dead and another seriously injured, including 11-year-old Alan Kroll, a local baseball player whose death has shaken the community.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is now conducting traffic studies and reviewing safety protocols after the rapid succession of collisions between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Three Fatal Crashes, One County, 12 Hours
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Crash 1: Monday, 6:40 p.m. in Marengo
Deputies responded to a crash at Kishwaukee Valley Road and Deerpass Road. A 2016 Ford Transit Van allegedly ran a stop sign and collided with a 2012 Audi Q5 SUV.-
A 29-year-old Wonder Lake man driving the Audi was seriously hurt.
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Alan Kroll, 11, a passenger in the SUV, was killed in the crash.
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Alan’s identity was confirmed by friends and teammates from the McHenry Cobras 12U baseball team, who held a tribute game Wednesday night to honor their friend, known for his jersey number #5 and infectious spirit.
“He was the life of the team,” said Mike Keubel, team president. “They all loved him.”
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Crash 2: Tuesday, 6 a.m. near Woodstock
A 2011 Dodge Ram crossed into oncoming traffic on Kishwaukee Valley Road and collided with a 2023 Mack semi-truck.-
Donald Markham, 50, of Belvidere, was killed.
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The semi-truck driver was not injured.
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Crash 3: Tuesday, 7 a.m. near Harvard
A 1997 GMC Sierra left the road on Hebron Road and flipped after hitting a utility pole.-
Omar Estrada-Escobar, 35, of Harvard, was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Community in Mourning, Sheriff Vows Response
The Sheriff’s Office described the trio of incidents as rare in proximity but not in isolation. Sheriff Robb Tadelman emphasized the emotional impact these deaths have on the broader community.
“These are real people,” he said. “They affect a lot of people when these things happen.”
Following the crashes, the department is:
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Conducting traffic visibility studies
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Working with the Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit
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Exploring preventative measures for problem areas
The death of Alan Kroll has especially affected local families and young players.
“I witnessed my 14-year-old son with tears in his eyes,” said parent James McEvoy. “This has impacted all of us.”
Do you think McHenry County should install more traffic controls in rural areas? Share your thoughts with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and join the conversation.
