Crystal Lake Man Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash Near Barrington

Suspect arrested and charged with DUI after fleeing the scene of the crash that left the pedestrian with significant injuries.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:37pm

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A 33-year-old Crystal Lake man was hospitalized with serious injuries after being struck by a drunk driver who fled the scene of the crash near Barrington, Illinois on Monday night. The suspect, John Zurawski, 73, of Cary, was later arrested at his home and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of drunk driving and the need for stronger enforcement and penalties to deter such reckless behavior that puts innocent lives at risk. The hit-and-run nature of the crash also raises concerns about accountability and the importance of thorough investigations to identify and apprehend offenders.

The details

According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded around 11:10 p.m. on Monday to the area of Route 22 and Kelsey Road in unincorporated Barrington for a report of a pedestrian who had been struck. They found the 33-year-old Crystal Lake man seriously injured, and determined he had been hit by a vehicle that fled the scene. Investigators were able to trace the vehicle parts left behind to a silver or grey Volkswagen Atlas, which they traced back to Zurawski's home in Cary. Zurawski admitted to driving and hitting what he thought was a snowbank.

  • The incident occurred around 11:10 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2026.
  • Zurawski appeared in court on Tuesday morning and a detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

The players

John Zurawski

A 73-year-old resident of Cary, Illinois who was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash and driving under the influence of alcohol.

33-year-old Crystal Lake man

The pedestrian who was seriously injured in the hit-and-run crash.

Lake County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the incident and made the arrest.

Lake County State's Attorney's Office

The prosecutors who reviewed the case and approved charges against Zurawski.

Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg

The sheriff who praised his team's investigative work in apprehending the suspect.

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What they’re saying

“I am very proud of our team who were involved in this investigation. Because of their strong investigative skills, they were able to quickly determine this was a hit-and-run crash, track down the offending vehicle, and hold the driver accountable for his reckless actions.”

— Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg (lakemchenryscanner.com)

“Driving impaired is reckless, wrong, and dangerous, especially when there are many options available to get home safely with a sober driver.”

— Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg (lakemchenryscanner.com)

What’s next

The state's attorney's office has filed a petition to detain Zurawski pending trial, and a detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat drunk driving and hold offenders accountable, in order to protect innocent lives and make our roads safer for all. The swift investigative work by law enforcement in this case serves as a model for how to effectively respond to such reckless and dangerous behavior.