Two drivers were hospitalized with serious injuries after a head-on crash that left one of the cars on fire near Lake Zurich Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Hawthorn Woods Police Department and Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department responded around 3 p.m. Wednesday to Fairfield Road and Milton Road in unincorporated Lake Zurich.
A tree trimming service was trimming trees on the west side of Fairfield Road in the area, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The roadway was reduced to one lane and a flagger from the tree trimming company was directing traffic.
Northbound traffic was stopped and southbound traffic was being allowed through, Covelli said.
A 2015 Jeep SUV, driven by a 58-year-old Cary man, was initially stopped in the northbound lane.
Covelli said the driver decided he was going to turn around and not wait in traffic.
He began to make a three-point turn as a 2020 Hyundai sedan, driven by a 54-year-old Round Lake woman, was driving southbound on Fairfield Road.
The driver of the Hyundai reportedly could not see the Jeep due to the curve in the roadway.
The Hyundai struck the Jeep and the Hyundai caught on fire while the driver was still inside, Covelli said.
A good Samaritan driving a water truck extinguished the fire.
“We are still attempting to identify that good Samaritan, as they could have saved the womanโs life,” Covelli said.
Both drivers suffered several fractures and were transported to area hospitals. Their injuries were serious but non-life-threatening.
Fairfield Road was shut down in both directions due to the crash.
The driver of the jeep was cited for illegally making a U-turn.