James Settle Obituary, Elderly Man Killed in Woodstock Car Accident – Death
James Settle Obituary, Death Cause – In a devastating incident near Woodstock, an 88-year-old man lost his life after his car veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with another vehicle and injuring a second person. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded to the crash around 7:40 a.m. on Thursday in the area of Charles Road, east of Raffel Road, in unincorporated Woodstock. Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene to find a two-vehicle crash with two individuals injured.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2000 Lincoln Town Car, driven by James Settle, 88, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was traveling westbound on Charles Road when it lost control and entered the eastbound lane, colliding with the front of a 2014 Hyundai. The impact forced both vehicles to exit the roadway to the south, resulting in significant damage. Despite wearing his seatbelt and the deployment of the car’s airbags, Settle sustained critical injuries. He was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry, where he was later pronounced dead.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein stated that Settle, initially conscious after the crash, went into cardiac arrest upon reaching the hospital. The driver of the Hyundai, a 46-year-old man from Machesney Park, was also wearing his seatbelt, and his car’s airbags deployed. He was treated at the scene for minor injuries and subsequently released. Notably, there were no passengers in either vehicle at the time of the collision.
An autopsy conducted on Friday revealed that Settle’s death was preliminarily attributed to traumatic cardiac arrhythmia, along with blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen. Toxicology results are pending, providing further insights into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. At the time of the crash, the National Weather Service and local police departments had issued warnings about icy road conditions in McHenry County and the surrounding areas. While it remains unclear whether the road conditions played a role in the collision, the incident underscores the importance of exercising caution during adverse weather conditions.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry County Coroner’s Office are actively investigating the crash to determine the sequence of events leading to the tragic outcome. As the community grapples with this loss, it serves as a somber reminder of the need for vigilance and adherence to safety measures on the road, especially during challenging weather conditions. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of James Settle during this difficult time.
