A 75-year-old man dies after crashing into a tree

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP — At approximately 12:35 p.m., on Nov. 24, the Kane County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of Route 20, east of Route 47, for the report of a single-vehicle crash. The vehicle had significant visible damage after leaving the roadway and striking a tree.

Upon arrival at the scene, authorities discovered that the driver was unconscious.

The preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle, a Dodge Journey, was driven by Robert Skarbonkiewicz, 75, of the 200 block of E. Jackson Avenue in Hampshire. Law enforcement stated that Skarbonkiewicz was traveling eastbound on Route 20 when he left the roadway for unknown reasons.

After the vehicle left the roadway, the Dodge Journey struck a tree, which caused significant damage. Deputies, along with the Pingree Grove Fire Department, assisted with medical attention due to Skarbonkiewicz’s having sustained life-threatening injuries.

Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Chris Howell said that Skarbonkiewicz had to be extricated from his vehicle. Initially, a medical helicopter was requested, however, the helicopter was unable to transport Skarbonkiewicz. This resulted in Skarbonkiewicz having to be moved onto an ambulance where he was transported to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin with the helicopter flight crew onboard the ambulance. He was pronounced deceased by medical staff a short time later.

Authorities confirmed that Skarbonkiewicz was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the incident. In addition, it was also discovered that the airbags did deploy within the vehicle.

At this time, the cause of the crash is still being investigated by the Kane County Investigations Division.