Sheriff’s Office investigates a two-vehicle traffic crash

McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Woodstock Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle crash that sent three people to the hospital on July 18, 2015. Two persons have since been released, while one remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country was traveling westbound on Illinois Route 176, when it crossed the center line and entered the eastbound lane of travel, striking a 2008 Pontiac G6 that was traveling eastbound. The vehicles were both impacted on the driver’s side front in the eastbound lane of travel. The Chrysler exited the roadway to the north and came to rest on its top.

The drive of the Chrysler, Thomas J. Schlaiss, 41, was transported by Flight for Life to Advocate Condell Medical Center – Libertyville. Schlaiss was wearing his seatbelt and there was airbag deployment in his vehicle. The driver of the Pontiac, Mark A. Neihenger, 41, was transported by Life Line to St. Anthony’s in Rockford, where he remains. Neihenger was wearing his seatbelt and there was airbag deployment in his vehicle. The passenger of the Pontiac, Anna M. Cox, 40, was transported by Woodstock Rescue to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. Cox was wearing her seatbelt.

An investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Traffic Crash Investigations Unit. Members of the Woodstock Fire Protection District and Lakewood Police Department also assisted at the scene.