After visiting his newborn daughter at Highland Park Hospital, 35-year-old Dennis Lewis of Round Lake Beach was killed in a crash on July 18, 2025. Deputies say he was riding his Harley-Davidson through a green light in Green Oaks when a semi-truck turned left across his lane. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, who was unharmed, is cooperating with investigators.

Just hours earlier, Lewis had texted his girlfriend, Amberly Trocke, to say their baby stirred at his voice, just like in the womb. He called her at 1:39 p.m., saying he’d grab food before heading home — but he never made it. At home, Amberly waited with their 3-day-old, Harley, and her daughter Davina, who would turn four in two days. Fearing the worst, she began calling hospitals when he didn’t return.

The devastating news came when deputies confirmed to Amberly that Lewis had died. “I was just screaming, crying,” she recalled, as Davina covered her ears. Family said Lewis had been thrilled about fatherhood, proudly showing off the nursery at their baby shower weeks earlier. His cousin noted, “I’ve never seen him so happy in my whole life.”

Lewis, a transmission mechanic, had planned to propose to Amberly after Harley’s birth — a dream cut short. In a Facebook post, she wrote, “My heart is shattered. Our daughter Harley will never get to know how awesome of a dad she had except through us.” A GoFundMe has been launched to support Amberly and her daughters as the community rallies around the young family left behind.