A two-vehicle, head-on crash left five victims hospitalized, including a child who was ejected from their car seat, south of Route 14 and Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard Sunday afternoon. | Photo: HFPD

A child was ejected from their car seat, seriously injured and flown to the hospital after a head-on crash that left four others hospitalized on Route 14 near Harvard Sunday afternoon.

The Harvard Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 4:04 p.m. Sunday to Route 14 and Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard for a vehicle crash with injuries.

Harvard Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said initial reports indicated a head-on crash involving two vehicles.

A two-vehicle, head-on crash left five victims hospitalized, including a child who was ejected from their car seat, south of Route 14 and Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard Sunday afternoon. | Photo: HFPD

The call was upgraded after 911 callers reported entrapment and multiple victims, including a child who had reportedly been ejected from a car seat inside a vehicle, Vucha said.

Firefighters arrived and located the crash approximately a quarter-mile south of Lembcke Road on Route 14.

Vucha said two vehicles sustained heavy damage after colliding head-on. Debris was scattered across both lanes of travel.

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A two-vehicle, head-on crash left five victims hospitalized, including a child who was ejected from their car seat, south of Route 14 and Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard Sunday afternoon. | Photo: HFPD

A total of five people were involved. Those included four occupants of an SUV and an adult male who was the driver and sole occupant in a sedan.

Firefighters worked to free the driver of the sedan, who was trapped in his vehicle, Vucha said.

He was transported by ambulance in serious condition to the hospital after being extricated.

A two-vehicle, head-on crash left five victims hospitalized, including a child who was ejected from their car seat, south of Route 14 and Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard Sunday afternoon. | Photo: HFPD

Two adults in the SUV suffered moderate injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Two children in the SUV were also injured.

A LifeNet medical helicopter was called and landed on the roadway on Route 14.

Vucha said the child who was ejected from their car seat was airlifted from the scene in serious condition to a Level I trauma center. The second child was transported by ambulance with minor injuries.

The roadway was shut down in both directions for nearly 90 minutes while emergency crews operated in a safe and controlled environment, Vucha said.

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A two-vehicle, head-on crash left five victims hospitalized, including a child who was ejected from their car seat, south of Route 14 and Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard Sunday afternoon. | Photo: HFPD

The Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District, Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Richmond Township Fire Protection District responded to the scene with additional ambulances.

A Mercyhealth MD-1 emergency physician also assisted at the scene with patient care.

“The Harvard Fire Protection District appreciates the assistance of all supporting agencies and dispatchers who responded and helped ensure patient care and scene safety,” Vucha said.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of the crash. It is unclear yet if any citations or charges have been issued.