A motorcyclist, who was critically injured in a crash with a blue Toyota RAV4 at Lake Cook Road and Wilke Road on Tuesday night, has died. The victim’s identity was released today as Jack Fuchs of McCullom Lake near McHenry.
The Arlington Heights Police Department, in conjunction with the Major Case Assistance Team – Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (MCAT-STAR) unit, conducted an on-scene investigation, and is continuing the investigation of the fatal traffic crash that occurred at the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Wilke Road on June 18th, 2024 at 3:50 p.m.
The initial on-scene investigation was completed at 9:05 p.m. and all roadways were re-opened after being closed earlier Tuesday evening.
Arlington Heights Police Department released the identity of the operator of the motorcycle as Jack Fuchs, age 19, of McHenry, Illinois. Fuchs was ejected and found unresponsive in the roadway. Bystanders at the scene started immediate lifesaving efforts (CPR) prior to the arrival of police officers, firefighters and paramedics, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. Jack Fuchs was transported to Northwest Community Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced dead at 4:30 p.m.
Jack Fuchs was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to police.
Jack Fuchs was operating a 2005 Kawasaki Concours motorcycle, and crashed at 3:51 p.m. with a blue 2014 Toyota RAV4, when the RAV4 driver made a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcyclist, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
The Arlington Heights Police Department did not initially indicate whether the oncoming motorcyclist’s speed was excessive. The Speed Limit on Lake Cook Road is 45 MPH.
Initial investigation revealed the driver of the 2014 Toyota RAV4 was stopped waiting to make a left turn from westbound Lake Cook Road onto southbound Wilke Road. Jack Fuchs, was driving the 2005 Kawasaki Concours motorcycle eastbound on Lake Cook Road, and was approaching the intersection with Wilke Road in the median lane. The driver of the Toyota began making the left turn onto Wilke Road, entering the eastbound lanes of Lake Cook Road. Jack Fuchs attempted an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision with the Toyota, fell and slid onto the right side of the Toyota RAV4. Jack Fuchs also struck the rear passenger side of the Toyota.
The driver of the Toyota RAV4 stopped in the southbound lanes of Wilke Road near the intersection with Lake Cook Road.
The motorcycle and Jack Fuchs continued several feet east of the intersection. Fuchs suffering a head injury and cardiac arrest. According to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office, Jack Fuchs died of multiple blunt force injuries in a motor vehicle collision.
The Arlington Heights Police Department and MCAT-STAR personnel continue to actively investigate the crash, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
No citations have been issued at this early stage of the investigation, according to police.
Buffalo Grove Police Department and Illinois State Police assisted with traffic direction at the scene.
INITIAL REPORT …
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 3:54 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024 to a report of a motorcycle crash with a vehicle on Lake Cook Road near Wilke Road in Arlington Heights. Police, firefighters and paramedics received a report that the motorcyclist was not responsive and not breathing; and that CPR was started.
Police, firefighters and paramedics discovered a crash involving a gray motorcycle and a blue Toyota RAV4. The motorcyclist was transported to a nearby hospital that was initially not disclosed.
Initial investigation indicates the motorcyclist was eastbound on Lake Cook Road when the driver of the blue Toyota RAV4 was westbound on Lake Cook Road, and made a left turn to head southbound on Wilke Road. The motorcyclist hit the right rear fender of the blue Toyota RAV4 and then crashed along Lake Cook Road for several feet before coming to a stop.
An extended crash investigation was underway Tuesday night, and Lake Cook Road was closed to through traffic between Arlington Heights Road and the Route 53 Spur.
The Speed Limit on Lake Cook Road is 45 MPH.
Lake Cook Road and Wilke Road is a T-intersection with Wilke Road terminating at Lake Cook Road, and controlled by traffic signals.
Lake Cook Road is a four-lane highway with an additional left turn lane from westbound Lake Cook Road to southbound Wilke Road. There is also a wide painted median on Lake Cook Road near the intersection.
Wilke Road is a four-lane arterial street with a left turn lane to westbound Lake Cook Road, and a right turn lane to eastbound Lake Cook Road.
Traffic was severely delayed on Lake Cook Road in both directions. At one point westbound Lake Cook Road was backed up past Raupp Boulevard in Buffalo Grove.
The northbound Route 53 Spur was backed us severely, and the arterial street Route 53 was delayed between Lake Cook Road near Menards and Route 83 east of downtown Long Grove.
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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