Marengo man charged with DUI in crash that killed woman, dog outside Woodstock

A Marengo man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a two-vehicle crash outside Woodstock that killed a Marengo woman and a dog, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said.

The crash also sent three other people to the hospital, including a 4-year-old, according to a news release issued Thursday by the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office, Marengo Fire Protection District, Huntley Fire Protection District and Union Fire Protection District responded to the crash at 8:16 p.m. Wednesday on Route 176, west of Sunnyside Road, according to the release.

The preliminary investigation found that a red 2019 Dodge Challenger, driven by a 44-year-old Marengo man was westbound on Route 176 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed the center line and struck an eastbound gray 2016 Mazda 6, driven by a 27-year-old Union woman.

Sergio Esquivel was charged with driving under the influence and improper lane use following the crash, according to court records. He was released on a notice to appear because he was hospitalized, McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Byrnes said in an email.

A 44-year-old Marengo woman, who was the passenger in the Dodge, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said, while the driver of the Dodge was taken by helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with serious injuries.

The Union woman driving the Mazda and her passenger, a 4-year-old boy, were taken by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital, according to the release. The 4-year-old was later taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago with serious injuries.

Two dogs were inside the Mazda at the time of the crash; one dog died, while the other was taken to an emergency veterinarian for observation.

Both occupants of the Dodge were not wearing seat belts, but the driver of the Mazda was wearing a seat belt and the 4-year-old was restrained in a child safety seat, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said.

Route 176 between Sunnyside Road and Timber Lane was closed for about six hours while first responders investigated.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the last name of the Marengo man charged with driving under the influence. His name is Sergio Esquivel.