Elgin man died in Woodstock crash, may have been involved in earlier collision on Route 14 before fatal crash

A 33-year-old Elgin man died in a three-vehicle crash Sunday near Route 14 and Dean Street near Woodstock, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified the man Wednesday morning as Abuzar Zaidi.

The sheriff’s office said Zaidi was driving a Mercedes-Benz and was not believed to be wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. A 6-year-old boy who was a passenger in the car was airlifted with life-threatening injuries. Airbags deployed, and the child was wearing a seat belt, authorities said.

The sheriff’s office said a preliminary investigation indicated the Mercedes-Benz was heading east on Route 14 and a Toyota 4 Runner was heading west on Route 14. The Mercedes tried to pass a vehicle pulling a trailer in a no-passing zone and then collided with the 4 Runner head-on in the westbound lane, the sheriff’s office said.

A Jeep heading west on Route 14 behind the Toyota hit the left rear of the Toyota while trying to avoid the initial crash. Nobody in the Jeep was hurt, and the car had minor damage.

The 4 Runner driver was a 43-year-old resident of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, who was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. A 43-year-old woman who was a passenger was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, while a 13-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl in the 4 Runner were taken to local hospitals and later airlifted with life-threatening injuries. All of them were wearing seat belts, and the airbags also deployed in that vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

Officials said the Mercedes is believed to have been in a crash on Route 14 near Kishwaukee Valley Road before Sunday’s fatal crash. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate all of the events.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District was sent out to the scene about 3:15 p.m. Sunday and found people trapped in both vehicles, public information officer Alex Vucha said.

The coroner’s office said Zaidi’s cause of death and toxicology are pending.

A GoFundMe set up for Zaidi’s family by a colleague at his employer, Everspring, described him as “a remarkable soul who touched countless lives with his infectious energy and boundless warmth.” The post said Zaidi’s eldest son was in the car during the crash and was critically injured.

Zaidi was an executive director of product development at a Chicago-based education technology company.

The fundraising post went on to add: “Whether you were having your best day or your worst, Abuzar knew exactly how to bring a smile to your face. His work ethic was unmatched, his humor was legendary, and his kind spirit touched everyone fortunate enough to cross his path. The Everspring office will never be the same without his genuine warmth that made every interaction memorable.”

The fundraiser is meant to support his family and allow Zaidi’s widow to be able to care for the children without worrying about finances.

It had raised more than $67,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.