A driver was left seriously injured after he fled from officers who stopped him on Route 41 in Highland Park before crashing into a wooded area in Lake Forest during the overnight hours, authorities said.
The Lake Forest Police Department said they received a report around 3 a.m. Saturday for a wanted vehicle that fled from the Highland Park Police Department.
A gray Volkswagen Passat fled from the Highland Park officers, who attempted a traffic stop, on northbound Route 41 in Highland Park, according to Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Kevin Zelk.
City of Highland Park Communications Manager Amanda Bennett said the traffic stop occurred south of Park Avenue West after the vehicle was driving slower than the posted speed limit and weaving.
The officer asked the driver to turn off the vehicle and exit but the driver put the vehicle into drive and fled northbound, Bennett said.
The officer broadcast a fleeing and eluding and possible DUI incident through the Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN).
Zelk said Lake Forest police officers located the Volkswagen a short time later after it had crashed into a wooded area east of Route 41 north of Westleigh Road.
The driver and sole occupant, an adult male, had exited the vehicle and was attempting to flee the scene on foot despite having suffered serious injuries in the crash.
Officers detained the driver and the Lake Forest Fire Department transported him to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment, Zelk said.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was activated due to the severity of the crash and the injuries the driver suffered.
Zelk said MCAT has assumed the lead role in the crash investigation and is working in close coordination with the Lake Forest Police Department.
Route 41 was shut down for several hours while the scene was processed by MCAT.
The incident remains under open and active investigation and no charges have been announced yet. “Further details cannot be released at this time,” Zelk said.