Upgraded Charges Possible After Man, 70, Dies After May Collision: Authorities

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

An elderly man died in the hospital last month after he and his dog, who was also killed, were struck by an alleged drunk driver in Woodstock in May.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded around 2:10 p.m. on May 27 to the intersection of Jefferson Street and Judd Street for a crash involving a pedestrian.

Emergency crews arrived to find a 1999 Chrysler 300 had struck a pedestrian and a dog.

Paramedics began treating an elderly male victim who was on the ground suffering from serious injuries, according to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Communication Specialist Alex Vucha.

The victim was identified as Michael J. Krause, 70, of Woodstock. A medical helicopter was requested and flew Krause to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Vucha said the small dog who was also struck by the car was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car, Christian J. Peetz Jr., 78, of Woodstock, was uninjured.

Peetz was initially charged with aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm, failure to yield at a crosswalk and driving under the influence of alcohol.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Peetz was knowingly operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when he hit the pedestrian, causing multiple fractures to the victim’s skull and severe brain bleeding.

Krause died in the hospital nearly a week later on June 2, Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said on Friday. His cause of death was complications of blunt force injuries.

An obituary for Krause said he was walking his beloved dog, Loki, at the time of the incident.

“Michael loved travel, philosophy, and is known fondly by all dogs in the neighborhood as the man with the treats,” the obituary said.

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office had sought to detain Peetz pending trial following his arrest, calling him a real and present danger to the community.

McHenry County Judge Christopher Harmon denied the petition and released Peetz, ordering him to refrain from alcohol and illegal drugs and submit to random drug screenings, court records show.

Peetz was also ordered to not operate any vehicles and to obtain a substance abuse evaluation.

After Krause died in the hospital, prosecutors filed a second petition to detain Peetz.

McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt denied the petition and allowed Peetz to remain on pre-trial release.

The judge modified Peetz’s release conditions and ordered him to be equipped with a SCRAM device, which monitors alcohol consumption, court records show.

Peetz’s case has not been presented to a grand jury yet but it is possible the jury could upgrade the charges against the man after Krause died in the hospital last month.

A request for comment from the state’s attorney’s office was not immediately returned.

Peetz is scheduled to appear in court again on August 14 for a preliminary hearing.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.