A car accident in Lake County earlier this week sent five people to the hospital. One transported was in critical condition. The accident involved just one vehicle, a 2013 Kia Rio. The Rio went off the road and struck a tree, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Five people were in the car. The driver and one passenger exited the vehicle on their own, while the other three were trapped. A spokesperson from the Gurnee Fire Department said that extrication was not difficult and all three were transported immediately to the hospital.

The sheriff’s office said that one passenger in the car, a 16-year-old, fled the scene. That passenger was found not far from the scene. The 16-year-old was also taken to the hospital, but not until an hour after the other victims.

The passenger who was listed in critical condition was a 16-year-old. The patient was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. The other three people in the vehicle were a 16-year-old female, a 20-year-old male and a 21-year-old female. These passengers were taken to Condell and Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan with non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by the Technical Crash Investigations Unit of the sheriff’s office, and it is possible that charges could be filed.

The accident brought about complaints of vehicles constantly speeding in the area, but the sheriff’s office said there have been no documented complaints from the public about the area. The office also said that when complaints are filed, extra patrols are sent to the area along with signboards to curb speeding.

The sheriff’s office did not offer any other information about the crash regarding a potential cause. The speed limit along the stretch of road where the accident occurred is 25 mph.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in or around Chicago, Illinois, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you with your case.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “Neighborhood crash near Gurnee sends five to hospital,” Frank S. Abderholden, April 25, 2017