A toddler was among three people hospitalized after a multiple-vehicle crash caused heavy traffic backups on Interstate 94 near Waukegan Wednesday evening, authorities said.
The Gurnee Fire Department, Libertyville Fire Department and Illinois State Police responded around 4:10 p.m. Wednesday to Interstate 94 near milepost 12.5 in Waukegan for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Emergency crews arrived and found a multiple-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 94 north of Route 137, according to Illinois State Police.
A 911 caller reported that a child in a carseat was possibly ejected in the crash, which caused moderate damage.
Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Gramer said there was no evidence at the scene that the child was ejected but state police were investigating.
State police said the crash involved three vehicles and it was later confirmed that the child was not ejected from the car.
Gramer said four people involved in the crash were evaluated by paramedics.
Two adults, as well as the child, who was a toddler, were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Gramer said the conditions of the victims were unknown but their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. The fourth person involved declined medical treatment.
The crash occurred on the left lanes of the interstate and two lanes were reportedly shut down.
Gramer said heavy traffic delays occurred. Traffic was reportedly backed up to as far as Route 176.
A man who was driving to work said he witnessed the crash. “I was in the left lane and decided to pass one of the white cars who was involved in the crash. She wasn’t paying attention I don’t think and on a slight turn, she kept going straight and reacted and jolted left and then swerved into oncoming traffic and the person who was passing her got taken out,” he said, adding that another car behind them also became involved.
“The person who was passing her got hit the most and they plowed into the median. The little white car involved was going so slow in the left lane so everyone was passing her,” he added.
Lane closures were in place until around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday following the crash investigation and vehicle removal. State police say the incident remains under investigation.