Two people were sent to the hospital with injuries after two separate crashes involving six cars occurred along Route 45 in Third Lake, causing heavy delays Tuesday morning.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Grayslake Fire Protection District responded around 9:55 a.m. Tuesday to Route 45 and Rollins Road in Third Lake for a crash involving three to four vehicles in the intersection.
While emergency crews were enroute, two other vehicles crashed into each other next to the first crash scene, Grayslake Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Ian Mandigo said.
The second crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of Rollins Road just east of Route 45.
A total of six vehicles – four sedans and two SUVs – were involved in both crashes.
Crews arrived and requested additional ambulances because there were multiple people who needed to be medically evaluated.
The Gurnee Fire Department responded to the scene with a battalion fire chief, fire engine and two ambulances to assist the Grayslake Fire Protection District.
In total, two battalion fire chiefs, two fire engines and four ambulances from both departments responded to the crashes.
Firefighter-paramedics evaluated seven people from both crashes.
Two were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with non-life-threatening injuries.
The other five refused to be transported to the hospital and were released.
The crashes caused heavy traffic delays on Rollins Road and on Route 45.
Westbound Rollins Road at Grand Avenue was temporarily closed due to the accident.
A total of four tow trucks – two from Wildwood Service and two from Antioch Automotive – removed all six vehicles from the scene.
The roadway was reopened at around 11 a.m.
Fire officials are reminding motorists to be alert, obey reduced speeds and use caution when approaching emergency vehicles or incidents.
Both crashes remain under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Several people have raised concerns about the safety of the intersection on social media.
“This intersection needs to be rethought out… too many accidents there,” a person said, adding that the slope of Rollins Road, the sun, and blind spots cause too many safety issues.
“The left turn to head south on 45 off the Rollins spur should be green arrow only. That would resolve a lot of the accidents,” another person said.
“This intersection is the absolute worst! Can’t see over the hill at 45,” another added.