Authorities have identified a 21-year-old man who died after a high-speed crash that left his car wrapped around an electrical pole in Waukegan on Saturday.
An autopsy showed that Kajaun Hughes, 21, of Waukegan, died of multiple blunt force injuries as a result of a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The Waukegan Police Department and Waukegan Fire Department responded around 9 p.m. Saturday to the 1900 block of Dugdale Road for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Joe Florip said officers arrived and found a serious crash involving a black Dodge Charger and a black 2012 Honda Accord.
An investigation shows the Dodge, driven by Hughes, was traveling westbound on Dugdale Road at a high rate of speed when it lost control and struck the eastbound Honda, Florip said.
The Dodge then continued until it struck an electrical utility pole a short distance away. Officers found live electrical lines down on the ground in contact with the Dodge.
It took firefighters approximately one hour to extricate the trapped driver and passenger from the Dodge. A medical helicopter was called to the incident but not used.
Paramedics transported Hughes to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead.
Paramedics also transported the front seat passenger of the Dodge, a Racine, Wisconsin man in his 20s, to a local hospital with moderate injuries. He is expected to survive.
The driver of the Honda, described as a Waukegan man in his 20s, was released at the scene with no injuries.
It is unknown if either occupant of the Dodge was wearing a seatbelt, Florip said. The driver of the Honda, who was the only occupant in his vehicle, was wearing a seatbelt.
The Waukegan Police Department Major Crash Unit was called to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Investigators believe speed was a “major factor” in the crash, Florip said. No citations have been issued and the incident remains open and active.
The incident remains under investigation by the Waukegan Police Department and Lake County Coroner’s Office.