Crystal Lake drowning victim identified

CRYSTAL LAKE – A 52-year-old Crystal Lake man died Thursday afternoon after he drowned on Crystal Lake.

The man has been identified as John C. Toye of Crystal Lake. An autopsy this morning determined that the cause of death was drowning, said Deputy Coroner Rob Locke.

Emergency crews were dispatched at 3:41 p.m. to a small beach across from 1050 N. Shore Drive, said Battalion Chief John Lardino of the Crystal Lake Fire Department.

Bystanders had moved Toye from the water to their boat and brought him to shore. He was moved to the ambulance at 3:51 p.m. and transported to Centegra Hospital – Woodstock, where he was pronounced dead at 4:11 p.m.

The drowning is believed to be accidental, but remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

Locke said that Toye had been near the lake with friends and had gone in to cool off.

"We're sad for the victim, his family, and his friends," Lardino said.