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15-year-old bicyclist killed in hit-and-run crash in Crystal Lake, Illinois identified

Family pleads for help to find driver in fatal hit-and-run in Crystal Lake
Family pleads for help to find driver in fatal hit-and-run in Crystal Lake 01:57

The McHenry County Sheriff's office is looking for a driver who struck and killed a 15-year-old boy riding his bike Wednesday night in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

A day after a deadly hit-and-run, fire crews were seen spraying down the area where the family of Nick Laureys said he lost his life.

"I just, of all things, want him back," said his uncle, Lance Laureys.

Lance said Nick went fishing with a friend and biked there around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Two hours later, while they were walking their bikes back, Lance said a car going 40 mph slammed into Nick from behind at Terra Cotta Road and Deering Oaks Lane. Police said the driver fled the scene.

The McHenry County Coroner's office said an autopsy determined Nick died from blunt force injuries.

"I know that accidents happen, but he didn't deserve to be left there like a piece of deer," Lance said.

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Nick Laureys Photo supplied to CBS

The road where Nick was kit is a narrow strip with not a lot of room for pedestrians or bikers. Lance said his nephew had his bicycle's red taillight turned on at the time he was hit.

"It was on his bike. I made him put them on it for safety," Lance said.

Sheriff's officials said they are looking for a dark-colored – possibly red – 2017 or 2018 Jeep Cherokee with front-end damage.

Nick's death is unfortunately not an outlier. Last week, the sheriff's office put out a warning to all drivers in McHenry County, after three people died from car accidents on rural roads like the one where Nick was killed. One of those victims was an 11-year-old boy.

"What is it going to take for everybody to actually pay attention?" Lance said.

Lance said he and his family are taking it day by day since Nick's death, and hope social media or cameras identify who was in the car that hit him.

"Nick, he loved being outside, he loved doing work on his ATV and taking apart ATVs, including mine, and he's just an outgoing kid," Lance said.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office Major Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner's Office are continuing to investigate the crash.

If you have any information on the crash or car, contact the McHenry County Sheriff's Office at 815-338-2144.

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