On Wednesday evening in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a 15-year-old boy was riding his bike when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. The McHenry County Sheriff’s office is searching for the motorist who caused the accident.
It was observed that fire crews were wetting down the area where the family of Nick Laureys said he had lost his life the day after a hit-and-run accident that resulted in his death.
“I just, of all things, want him back,” said his uncle, Lance Laureys. “I simply want him back.”
It was around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday when Lance reported that Nick had gone fishing with a friend and had biked there. At the intersection of Terra Cotta Road and Deering Oaks Lane, two hours later, Lance said that Nick was struck from behind by a car traveling at a speed of forty miles per hour. Nick was walking back on his bicycle. According to the police, the driver went off the site.
After conducting an autopsy, the McHenry County Coroner’s office ruled that Nick died as a result of injuries caused by blunt force.
“I know that accidents happen, but he didn’t deserve to be left there like a piece of deer,” stated Lance in response.
In the area where Nick was kit, there is a road that is quite small and does not provide much space for pedestrians or cyclists. According to Lance, his nephew was riding his bicycle with the red taillight turned on when he was struck by a vehicle.
It had been on his bicycle. “For his own protection, I insisted that he put them on,” stated Lance.
Officials from the Sheriff’s Office have stated that they are seeking for a Jeep Cherokee with front-end damage that is either 2017 or 2018 in color and perhaps red in color.
Regrettably, Nick’s passing is not even remotely exceptional. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to all drivers in the county last week, following the deaths of three persons who were involved in car accidents on rural roads similar to the one where Nick was ultimately murdered. An eleven-year-old boy was one of those who lost their lives.
“What is it going to take for everybody to actually pay attention?” remarked Lance.
Lance has stated that he and his family are grieving the loss of Nick day by day, and they are hoping that social media or cameras may be able to identify the person who was in the vehicle that struck Nick.
“Nick, he loved being outside, he loved doing work on his ATV and taking apart ATVs, including mine, and he’s just an outgoing kid,” according to Lance.
Both the Major incident Investigation Unit of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Get in touch with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at the number 815-338-2144 if you have any information regarding the collision or the vehicle.
