Six people, including three paramedics, were taken to the hospital after a Lake Villa Fire Protection District ambulance was involved in a crash with two SUVs while transporting a patient on Route 45 in Libertyville Sunday morning.
Lake Villa Fire Protection District Ambulance #243 was transporting a patient to Advocate Condell Medical Center when it was involved in a crash at Route 45 and Peterson Road at around 11 a.m. Sunday.
The Libertyville Police Department and Libertyville Fire Department rushed to the scene.
“Crews arrived and found three vehicles involved with heavy damage,” Libertyville Fire Department Lt. Christopher Adams said.
The ambulance, a Chevrolet Equinox SUV and a Lexus RX 350 SUV were involved.
The Chevrolet sustained heavy front-end damage, while the Lexus appeared to sustain moderate damage.
The ambulance had damage on both sides, with heavier damage on its passenger side.
The preliminary investigation shows the ambulance was traveling southbound on Route 45 approaching Peterson Road, Libertyville Deputy Police Chief Matt Goze said.
The ambulance had its emergency lights and sirens activated.
“As the ambulance entered the intersection it was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Peterson Road,” Goze said.
Three Lake Villa firefighter/medics in the ambulance, the patient that was originally being transported, and both drivers of the Chevrolet and Lexus – a total of six people – were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with minor and non-life-threatening injuries.
James, who was stopped at the intersection, told Lake & McHenry County Scanner that the Chevrolet ran the red light and t-boned the ambulance.
James noticed the Chevrolet “driving full speed” with no signs of slowing down.
“The ambulance was passing through the intersection southbound when the SUV drove past us, hitting the ambulance from the side,” James said.
The ambulance then crashed into the median and hit the Lexus, which was stopped in the left turn lane facing north on Route 45.
James said that other motorists got out to check on the people involved.
“Everyone was conscious, and the two guys from the ambulance got out and started treating and checking on people,” James added.
Tow trucks from several companies responded to remove the three vehicles and clean up the debris.
The southbound lanes of Route 45 were temporarily shut down while crews tended to the crash.
A ladder truck with the Grayslake Fire Protection District assisted at the scene, while the Mundelein Fire Department provided coverage for the Libertyville Fire Department during the incident.
Lake Villa Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Jay Vance said a reserve ambulance has been put into service to respond to calls in place of the ambulance involved in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation by the Libertyville Police Department.