McHenry Teen Killed in Friday Crash Identified

WAUCONDA, IL — The 16-year-old girl killed in a crash in Wauconda has been identified as Danielle Thomas, officials said. The McHenry West High School student could “light up a room with her smile, laughs and energy,” McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett wrote on his Facebook page. “You will be missed by so many,” Jett wrote.

Meanwhile, charges are pending following the two-car crash. The collision occurred when a black Hyundai Elantra, driven by Caleb R. Rohrbach, 18, of Cary, was heading south on Route 12 near Case Road and crossed the center line, colliding head on with a gray Ford Focus, according to a news release from the Wauconda Police Department. The driver of the Ford, a 16-year-old McHenry girl, was extricated and taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington where she was later pronounced dead.

Two 14-year-old passengers in the Ford and one 15-year-old girl, all of McHenry, were all taken to area hospitals following the crash, which happened at 10:15 p.m. Friday. One of the younger teens has since been treated and released from Northwestern McHenry Hospital. The other two teens were taken to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, police said.

Rohrbach was extricated from his vehicle and taken to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

An investigation is ongoing into the crash by the Wauconda Police Department and the Major Crash Assistance Team and charges are pending, according to the news release.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.