Park Ridge man dies after car hits tree

Donald R. Moderhock, a 65-year-old Park Ridge resident, died after his car crashed into a tree on Friday night.

The Park Ridge Police Department said the one-car crash happened at about 11:34 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, on the 1400 block of South Western Avenue in Park Ridge.

Moderhock lived nearby, on the 1500 block of South Western, police said.

Park Ridge police and fire departments arrived at the scene and found a 2007 Hyundai Sonata that had struck a tree.

Moderhock, the sole occupant of the car, was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m. Saturday, according to officials.

Park Ridge Police are working with the Cook County medical examiner’s office to investigate the crash.

On Saturday, the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined the death was accidental and caused by multiple blunt force injuries from the car striking the tree.