Cardiac Event Led To Fatal Crash Near Van Patten Woods: Coroner

ZION, IL — A 49-year-old Streamwood man suffered a cardiac event before his vehicle veered off the road and crashed near Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve this week, authorities said.

Lake County sheriff’s deputies and the Newport Fire Protection District were called at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday to the area of the Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve parking lot, 15705 W. Russell Road in unincorporated Zion, for a report of an unresponsive person.

Deputies found that a vehicle had left the roadway, traveled through thick brush and a small tree line and came to rest on forest preserve property, according to authorities.

The driver, identified as Arkadius Knych, 49, of Streamwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy Thursday. The examination determined Knych suffered a cardiac event that caused the crash, according to the coroner’s office.

Knych did not suffer any significant injuries from the crash itself, authorities said.