Elgin man killed, five injured in head-on McHenry County crash

A 33-year-old Elgin man was killed and his 6-year-old passenger critically injured in a head-on collision Sunday in McHenry County, authorities said Wednesday.

Four others were injured in the three-vehicle crash, which occurred about 3:13 p.m. Sunday on Route 14 near Woodstock.

The McHenry County coroner identified the Elgin man as Abuzar Zaidi.

According to the McHenry County sheriff’s office, Zaidi was driving a 2018 Mercedes-Benz east on Route 14 when he attempted to pass a vehicle pulling a trailer in a no passing zone near Dean Street.

The Mercedes collided in the westbound lane with an oncoming 2017 Toyota 4Runner, which then was struck by a 2018 Jeep also traveling westbound, officials said.

Zaidi, who was not believed to be wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. His 6-year-old male passenger, who was bucked in, was airlifted from the scene with life-threatening injuries

The Mercedes is believed to have been involved in another crash on Route 14 near the intersection with Kishwaukee Valley Road just before the deadly collision, sheriff’s police said.

The Toyota’s driver, 43-year-old Cross Plains, Wisconsin man, was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, as were two passengers: an 11-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy. A 43-year-old female passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

All were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash and air bags did deploy, according to the sheriff’s office.

No one in the Jeep was injured.

An ongoing investigation is being led by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.

· Shaw Local News Network contributed to this report.