Five people were injured during a major, two-vehicle crash in unincorporated McHenry County early Sunday morning, authorities said.
Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts and Union Fire Protection District responded to the reported two-vehicle crash at the intersection of N. Union Road and Route 176 at 9:26 a.m. Sunday morning.
While en route, crews were informed that bystander CPR was in progress on one of the individuals involved, Vucha said.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and found a two-vehicle crash with heavy damage and multiple patients along Route 176, approximately half a mile east of the intersection, Vucha said.
Road conditions at the time were covered in snow, with whiteout conditions present.
Due to the number and severity of injuries, the call was upgraded through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) for additional ambulances, Vucha said.
A medical helicopter was initially requested, but the unit was unable to respond due to weather conditions.
A total of five patients were transported to local hospitals, Vucha said.
Of those, three sustained critical injuries, one was in serious condition, and one suffered minor injuries, Vucha said.
A sixth person involved in the crash refused medical treatment at the scene, Vucha said.
Ambulances from Crystal Lake, Harvard, Huntley, and Woodstock responded to the scene, while Nunda Rural Fire Protection District provided station coverage for Marengo with an ambulance during the incident.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.