Coroner identifies driver left dead after crash destroys classic car, seriously injures woman in Deer Park

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A two-vehicle crash left one vehicle with major damage and resulted in the death of a Mount Prospect man, with his passenger suffering serious injuries, at Lake Cook Road and Ferndale Road in Deer Park Sunday morning. | Photo: Nick Rusin

The coroner has released the identity of a 71-year-old man who died in a crash that left a classic car with major damage and a woman seriously injured in Deer Park Sunday morning.

An autopsy performed Monday showed that Robert Clauss, 71, of Mount Prospect, died as a result of blunt force injuries as a result of a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department responded around 10:20 a.m. Sunday to Lake Cook Road and Ferndale Road in Deer Park for a vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment.

A two-vehicle crash left one vehicle with major damage and resulted in the death of a Mount Prospect man, with his passenger suffering serious injuries, at Lake Cook Road and Ferndale Road in Deer Park Sunday morning. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Sheriff’s deputies arrived to find two vehicles involved with two people critically injured, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.

A preliminary investigation showed a 2025 Jeep Wrangler, driven by a 75-year-old man of Deer Park, was traveling eastbound on Lake Cook Road.

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The Jeep was attempting to turn left onto northbound Ferndale Road.

A two-vehicle crash left one vehicle with major damage and resulted in the death of a Mount Prospect man, with his passenger suffering serious injuries, at Lake Cook Road and Ferndale Road in Deer Park Sunday morning. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Covelli said the 1986 Alfa Romeo, driven by Clauss, was traveling westbound on Lake Cook Road.

The driver of the Jeep reported that they did not see the Alfa Romeo and began their left turn in front of the Alfa Romeo, resulting in the collision, Covelli said.

The Alfa Romeo, which came to rest off the roadway, sustained major damage and the Jeep sustained minor damage.

A two-vehicle crash left one vehicle with major damage and resulted in the death of a Mount Prospect man, with his passenger suffering serious injuries, at Lake Cook Road and Ferndale Road in Deer Park Sunday morning. | Photo: Nick Rusin
Clauss was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington in critical condition and died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, Covelli said.

A passenger in the Alfa Romeo, a 63-year-old Mount Prospect woman, was also transported to an area hospital where she remains in serious but stable condition.

The driver of the Jeep suffered minor injuries and is cooperating with the investigation.

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A two-vehicle crash left one vehicle with major damage and resulted in the death of a Mount Prospect man, with his passenger suffering serious injuries, at Lake Cook Road and Ferndale Road in Deer Park Sunday morning. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Lake Cook Road was shut down for several hours Sunday morning into the afternoon while the crash investigation was being conducted.

The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team.

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