Crystal Lake woman pleads guilty to 2019 fatal hit-and-run

A Crystal Lake woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a 2019 hit-and-run crash that killed a 53-year-old Algonquin man.

Carolyn Tyrrell, 54, of the 900 block of Wesley Drive, entered a blind guilty plea Tuesday to a single count of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. Prosecutors in turn dismissed several remaining charges, including failure to report a fatal accident.

Tyrrell’s plea was blind, meaning there was no agreement with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding a potential sentence.

Because the crash resulted in a death, Tyrrell faces between three and 14 years in prison for aggravated driving under the influence. She would be required to serve at least 85% of the sentence, court records show.

Police responded on Sept. 10, 2019, to the area of Virginia Road and Berkshire Drive for a reported crash with injuries.

An investigation determined that 53-year-old George Klinger’s motorcycle was traveling south on Virginia Road when Tyrrell struck the motorcycle with her red sedan and fled the scene, traveling west.

A female passenger with Klinger was thrown from the motorcycle, according to a news release at the time.

Klinger was taken to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital where he later died.

Tyrrell’s bumper, with the license plate attached, was found blocks away from the crash, which led officers to her home. She was arrested within a half-hour of the crash, police have said.

Following Tyrrell’s plea Tuesday, McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt revoked the woman’s bond and Tyrell returned to the McHenry County Jail where she remained Wednesday afternoon.

A sentencing hearing will take place on May 13.