A Life Cut Short: The Tragic Loss of Dennis Lewis
The afternoon of July 18th, 2025, unfolded in a heart-wrenching sequence of events for the Lewis family. What began as a joyous occasion ended in unimaginable grief, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. This is the story of Dennis Lewis, a loving father whose life was tragically cut short.
A Father’s Last Visit
Just hours before the accident, Dennis, a 35-year-old transmission mechanic from Round Lake Beach, Illinois, was basking in the joy of fatherhood. He had visited his three-day-old daughter, Harley, at Highland Park Hospital. His girlfriend, Amberly Trocke, described his overwhelming desire to connect with his newborn, even making a solo visit before their planned afternoon pickup. He cherished the moment when Harley reacted to his voice, a tender echo of her response in the womb. His last phone call to Amberly, at 1:39 p.m., indicated he was grabbing food before heading home – a journey he would never complete.
A Devastating Accident
The idyllic scene shattered at approximately 2:35 p.m. Lake County deputies responded to a fatal motorcycle accident at the intersection of Route 176 and Bradley Road in Green Oaks. Dennis, riding his 2013 Harley-Davidson, collided with a semi-truck. The investigation revealed that Dennis was traveling through a green light when the 2008 Peterbilt semi-truck, driven by a 50-year-old man from McHenry, turned left into his path. Dennis was pronounced dead at the scene; the truck driver was unharmed and fully cooperated with the authorities. An autopsy was scheduled, and a thorough investigation by the Sheriff’s technical crash team commenced.
A Family’s Unbearable Grief
Back in Round Lake Beach, Amberly waited anxiously with her four-year-old daughter, Davina, and newborn Harley. As time passed without word from Dennis, a growing unease prompted a frantic search. The news of a fatal accident arrived through Dennis’s mother, initially met with disbelief. Confirmation from the police delivered the devastating truth, leaving Amberly screaming in inconsolable grief. Even young Davina, sensing her mother’s distress, cried out in pain.
Remembering Dennis: A Man Overflowing with Love
Dennis was remembered by his loved ones not just as a devoted father but as a kind, hardworking, and loving man. His cousin, Stephanie Cornell, recalled his radiant joy at a baby shower just weeks before the tragedy. The pride he felt in starting his family was palpable, evident in the tour he gave of his renovated home, showcasing the freshly painted nursery and Davina’s updated room. He had even planned to propose to Amberly after Harley’s birth – a detail that emerged only after his death.
A Community Rallies Around a Grieving Family
The profound loss has left Amberly and her daughters facing an uncertain future. Amberly shared her heart-wrenching experience on Facebook, expressing the surreal pain of waking up in the home they had built together and the challenge of explaining Dennis’s absence to their young daughters. Davina’s innocent words, “Dennis isn’t here to protect me from the monsters,” poignantly capture the children’s vulnerability. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by friends and family to provide financial support for the family, covering immediate needs and future support for Harley as she grows up without her father. Dennis’s life, cut tragically short, will forever be remembered by the love he shared with his family and the community that grieves alongside them. His legacy of love remains, a testament to a father who will never be forgotten.
