Elderly Crystal Lake Man Dies after Car Crashes near Routes 14 and 31

An elderly Crystal Lake man died Friday after his car crashed on Route 31 in Crystal Lake. 

Crystal Lake Police said Richard S. Partyka, 91, of unincorporated Crystal Lake, was driving a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan on Route 31 at about 11 a.m. Feb. 1.

Partyka was traveling northbound in the curb lane when his van slowed and drifted toward the shoulder of the roadway, according to witnesses. His car struck the guardrail on the east side of the road and continued north a short distance before coming to rest along the shoulder, Crystal Lake Police Cmmdr. Dan Dziewor said. 

A passing motorist witnessed the incident and notified emergency responders.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and police arrived at the scene at about 11:12 a.m., and found the Caravan along the shoulder of the road. Inside, Partyka was unconscious and unresponsive, Dziewor said.

He was the only occupant in the car. 

Rescue workers removed Partyka and attempted to revive him as they transported him to Centegra’s Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry. Despite those efforts, Partyka did not survive and was pronounced dead at NIMC, Dziewor said.

"The death of Mr. Partyka is inconsistent with the manner and severity of the crash and this matter remains under investigation by members of the Crystal Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office," Dziewor said.