Coroner IDs 95-Year-Old Killed While Looking Under His Disabled Car

DEER PARK, IL — As a police investigation continues, the Lake County coroner released the name of the 95-year-old man killed Tuesday when another vehicle struck his broken down car while he was underneath it. Richard A. Krzysztofiak, of Palatine, died at the scene of the crash Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Lake Cook and Quentin roads in Deer Park.

Preliminary autopsy results indicate Krzysztofiak died from blunt force injuries as a result of the crash. Police responded to the scene at around 3:15 p.m. after 911 callers reported a serious traffic crash at the intersection of Lake Cook and Quentin roads. Deputies found Krzysztofiak deceased in the roadway, along with two heavily damaged vehicles.

RELATED: 95-Year-Old Driver Killed While Underneath Broken Down Car — Lake County Sheriff

A preliminary investigation revealed the 95-year-old man was traveling westbound when his 2006 Honda Accord broke down and became disabled in a westbound lane of Lake Cook Road, just east of Quentin Road. Police said the Honda Accord was in the center lane, between the left turn lane and outside-through lane. According to witnesses, the driver of the Honda Accord exited his vehicle and began looking underneath the vehicle, under the engine area.

While under his car, a 2024 Honda HR-V, driven by a 30-year-old Cary resident, struck the Honda Accord from behind. The impact caused serious injuries to the man under his car, and he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Honda HR-V, along with a passenger, a 30-year-old Arlington Heights woman, were taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said a passenger in the Honda Accord, a 77-year-old Barrington woman, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.