From the Marengo Fire/Rescue District:
Fatal Crash and Vehicle Fire on River Road
On Monday, October 13, 2025, at 8:58 p.m., the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts responded to the 22800 block of River Road in unincorporated Marengo for a reported vehicle crash with occupants trapped inside.
While en route, additional updates were received indicating the vehicle was beginning to catch fire with a woman trapped inside and resting against a house.
Due to the potential for the structure to catch fire, the call was upgraded to a structure fire response, prompting resources from Woodstock and Union to be dispatched.
First-arriving police officers attempted to dampen the fire using fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful as the fire quickly grew out of control.
Firefighters arrived and observed a small sedan fully engulfed in flames in close proximity to the residence.
The home had begun to catch fire, and the siding had started to melt.
Crews quickly extinguished both the vehicle and structural fire within minutes of arrival, preventing further damage to the residence.
The additional responding units were returned prior to their arrival.
The vehicle was occupied by two individuals, a male and a female.
The adult male had exited the vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency personnel and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with moderate, non-life-threatening injuries.
The female occupant was located inside the vehicle and did not survive the incident.
No additional injuries were reported. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos are courtesy of the Marengo Fire & Rescue District.
From the Sheriff:
Sheriff’s Office Investigates a Fatal Crash near Marengo
On Monday, October 13, at about 9:00 p.m., the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Marengo Police Department, and Marengo Fire Protection District responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 22800 block of River Road near Marengo, in unincorporated McHenry County.
Initial investigation shows that a 2011 Toyota Prius was traveling westbound on River Road.
While navigating a curve, the Toyota traveled off the roadway to the north, striking a tree and a post before catching fire near a garage.
The driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene. The passenger was transported by ambulance to Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford in serious condition.
The crash is being investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.
