Authorities ID Carpentersville Man, Woman Killed in Motorcycle Crash

Authorities have identified a Carpentersville man and woman who were killed Sunday night after their motorcycle collided with a minivan near McHenry.

David Edward Spears, 49, and Tanya Schafer, 42, were killed in the two-vehicle collision, which occurred at the intersection of River Road and Charles J Miller Road in unincorporated McHenry Township at about 7:53 p.m. on Sunday.

Spears, who was taken to Centegra Medical Center following the crash, died of blunt force injuries to his head and pelvis at 8:45 p.m. that same night, McHenry County Coroner Anne Majewski said in a news release. Meanwhile, Schafer, who was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, died from multiple injuries sustained during the crash, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said in an e-mail response.

A preliminary investigation shows the crash happened when a 2017 Harley-Davidson FLHTK Ultra Limited Motorcycle was heading south on River Road and had a green light when a 2014 Chrysler Town & Country van, which was traveling north on River Road and turning west onto Charles J Miller Road, collided with the motorcycle, according to a news release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office press release.

Authorities said the driver of the van failed to yield to the motorcycle. The driver of the van was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, police said.

Spears was driving the Harley at the time of the crash and Schafer was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle. It did not appear either of Schafer or Spears were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor.

An investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit, the McHenry County Coroner’s Office and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Also on Sunday evening, a McHenry man was killed when his motorcycle collided with a tree in rural McHenry County.

• Authorities ID McHenry Man Killed When Motorcycle Collides With Tree

The motorcycle fatalities should "come as forewarning about the dangers of motorcycles" as the weather improves, McHenry County Coroner-Anne Majewski said in an e-mail. The high traffic volume in McHenry County, rural road and the likelihood of more motorcycles on the roads also contributes to the chances of more motorcycle accidents, she said.

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