Police, firefighters and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 7:20 a.m., Thursday, September 29, 2022 to a report of a crash with injuries in Arlington Heights. The crash was initially described as a head-on collision, and then a crash with entrapment with multiple injuries.
Firefighters and paramedics from Buffalo Grove and Palatine were also assigned to the crash scene. When crews arrived, the first responders found a landscaping truck and a crossover SUV involved in a crash with a damaged bicycle and a seriously injured bicyclist underneath the truck on the southeast quadrant of the intersection.
As a result of the crash impact, a red 2011 Ford F550 landscaping truck with a trailer, went over the curb at the southeast corner of the intersection, and struck a bicyclist waiting to cross Lake Cook Road. The driver of the 2011 Ford F550 pickup and his passenger did not initially report any injuries in the crash. However, the bicyclist, a 43-year-old woman from unincorporated Arlington Heights, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. At the time of this release, the condition of the bicyclist following medical assessment and treatment was unknown.
The driver of the second vehicle, a white 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, was transported by Palatine Fire Department paramedics to Northwest Community Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. She remained at Northwest Community Hospital, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
Based on preliminary information gained from at-scene witnesses, as well as other physical evidence, the driver of the 2011 Ford F550 was traveling eastbound on Lake Cook Road approaching the intersection with North Wilke Rd. when the driver of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox made a left turn from westbound Lake Cook Road to head south on Wilke Road. The vehicles collided in the intersection. The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was spun around and remained in the eastbound lanes of traffic, while the 2011 Ford F550 departed the roadway to the southeast and struck the bicyclist.
MCAT-STAR, the Specialized Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team associated with the northwest suburban Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), was activated. MCAT-STAR responded with a cadre of officers and necessary equipment to process evidence and supply technical accident investigation support. At the time of this release, the condition of the traffic signals, as well as the speeds of the colliding vehicles was still under investigation. There was no evidence of impairment involved in the case, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. The Speed Limit on Lake Cook Road near the scene is 45 MPH.
Traffic Alert – The Cook County Sheriff’s Department and Buffalo Grove Police Department were assigned to assist the Arlington Heights Police Department with the control of traffic away from the crash scene. Motorists were encouraged to avoid Lake Cook Road between Route 53 and Arlington Heights Rd until normal road conditions resumed.
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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