Crystal Lake Teen Dies After Pulled From Fox River on Monday

The Priesz family of the north side of Crystal Lake is mourning the loss of their eldest son, Connor, after he passed away at Centegra Hospital in McHenry on Wednesday morning.

Connor Priesz, 18, had been listed in critical condition since he was pulled by his friends from the Fox River at about 4 p.m. Monday afternoon. Connor was hanging with his close group of friends as usual, said his father, Brian Priesz.

"They were tossing around a football. Connor's friends' said he suddenly had a strange expression on his face, and he slipped into the water," Brian Priesz said on Wednesday. "They were only in about three feet of water, but it was murky and they had trouble finding him."

The friends were swimming in the area of Timberlane Road, where the houses border the Fox River. Timberlane Road is a dead-end street that connects to Behan Road near the Prairieview Education Center, just south of Route 176.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Marine Unit arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon, where the friends were performing CPR on Connor.

Initially, when he was brought to the hospital Connor was breathing on his own, Brian said. But swelling continued in his brain and eventually he could not breathe on his own. 

The family chose to donate Connor's organs, Brian Priesz said.

Connor graduated from Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake in May. He planned to attend Northern Illinois University in the fall. He liked to play tennis, video games, and driving around with his friends, his dad said.

In addition to his father, Connor leaves behind his mother, Janet; younger brother, Jared, 15; and 12-year-old sister, Morgan.

Information regarding memorial services for Connor will be forthcoming.