The sheriff says a man remains in critical condition and alcohol is not believed to be a factor after he crashed his car into several trees on Route 176 near Marengo Saturday morning.
The Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts, Union Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 7:23 a.m. Saturday to the area of Route 176 and Millstream Road in unincorporated Marengo for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Firefighters and paramedics arrived within six minutes and located a single-vehicle crash along Route 176 just west of the intersection, according to Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
The sheriff’s office said Monday that a preliminary investigation shows a 2019 Ford Mustang was traveling westbound on Route 176.
The Ford entered the eastbound lane and exited the roadway to the south, striking several trees.
Vucha said initial reports indicated that the male driver had been ejected.
It was later determined that he was not ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
A medical helicopter was initially requested but due to a lengthy estimated arrival time, the driver was transported by ambulance to Javon Bea Hospital — Riverside in Rockford, Vucha said.
Mercyhealth MD-1, a mobile medical doctor, was requested and intercepted the ambulance on the way to the hospital to provide additional medical care.
The sheriff’s office said the victim was listed in critical condition.
Vucha said Route 176 was shut down in both directions for approximately three and a half hours before reopening.
The airbags deployed in the Ford and the driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor, the sheriff’s office said. It is unclear whether speed or drugs were factors.
The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit.