A driver said he was blinded by the bright lights of a truck while driving in Grayslake before crashing into a utility pole, causing a power outage and a disruption at a Grayslake North High School event between teachers and first responders.
The Grayslake Police Department and Grayslake Fire Protection District responded around 6:20 p.m. on February 27 to Route 83 just north of Shorewood Road in Grayslake for a report of a vehicle crash.
Grayslake Police Chief Jeff Myhra said that a driver traveling northbound on Route 83 said he was blinded by the bright lights of a large truck traveling southbound on Route 83.
The driver traveling northbound was in a minivan and left the roadway and crashed into a utility pole, which Myhra said was close to the edge of the roadway.
ComEd responded to make emergency repairs to the pole.
Power was temporarily shut off for residents in the area while ComEd crews repaired the pole.
The northbound lanes of Route 83 at Shorewood Road were shut down.
Grayslake North High School, which is around the corner from the crash, was hosting its annual “Route 83 Showdown” basketball game.
Teachers from Frederick School and Grayslake Middle School faced off against Grayslake police officers and firefighters. The police officers and firefighters beat the teachers 33-28.
The power outage temporarily caused an electrical disruption to the high school and the event.
Many residents and businesses in the area also reported losing power, with ComEd sending a message to customers about the outage.
ComEd crews finished their repairs at around 8:30 p.m., and the vehicle involved was towed from the scene.