Coroner’s office identifies man, determines cause of death in Blackhawk Springs forest preserve incident

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — Authorities said Aung Zin, 22, is dead and a 16-year-old girl is in critical condition after being found “unresponsive” in a car in a Winnebago County forest preserve.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies, Cherry Valley Police, Cherry Valley Fire, and Rockford Park District police were called to the Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve, 5360 Mulford Road, around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Paramedics attempted life-saving measures but were unable to save Zin, who was pronounced dead at 7:38 p.m.

The girl was also taken to a hospital and then later airlifted to UW Health Madison, where she remains in critical condition.

Preliminary toxicology testing revealed Zin had a fatal level of carbon monoxide in his system.

His preliminary cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning due to inhalation of motor vehicle exhaust, according to the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office.

The coroner’s office said at this time the manner of death appears to be an accident.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Detectives are currently investigating the incident.

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