A tragic accident claimed the life of Dennis Lewis Jr., a 35-year-old resident of Round Lake Beach, on Friday afternoon in Green Oaks. The Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy conducted on Monday determined Lewis died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash, which occurred around 2:35 p.m. at the intersection of Route 176 and Bradley Road.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis was riding a 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Route 176, approaching Bradley Road with a green light. At the same time, a 2008 Peterbilt semi-truck, carrying a dump trailer and driven by a 50-year-old man from McHenry, was traveling eastbound on Route 176. The truck driver attempted a left turn onto Bradley Road, crossing the path of the oncoming motorcycle, resulting in a fatal collision. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured and has been cooperating fully with authorities. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team, with assistance from the Illinois State Police, continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash. The investigation has caused temporary road closures, with all westbound lanes of Route 176 at Bradley Road and part of the eastbound lanes shut down, leading to significant traffic delays. The scene was cleared, and all lanes were reopened before 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
A GoFundMe page has been established to support Lewis’ family during this devastating time. According to the fundraiser, Lewis was en route to the hospital to pick up his partner so they could bring their newborn daughter, Harley Rose, home together. The page describes the profound loss felt by his family, stating, “His sudden passing has left a tremendous hole in our hearts and a heavy burden on the mother of his newborn, who is now navigating the unimaginable: caring for a brand-new baby while grieving the loss of her partner.” All funds raised will go toward funeral expenses and providing for Harley Rose, covering baby essentials, immediate living expenses, and future support for the family.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Dennis Lewis Jr., and the investigation into the crash remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the full details of this tragic event.