Serious Traffic Crash Involving Utility Pole Closes Intersection

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A lone driver was involved in a serious traffic accident Tuesday night in Arlington Heights. The driver, a 19-year-old from Palatine according to police, was transported to Lutheran General Hospital and is still being treated in the intensive care unit as of Thursday.

According to evidence at the scene and third-party eyewitness statements, the driver drove his 2012 Honda Accord left of the centerline and into oncoming traffic, ultimately departing the roadway on the northeast corner of the intersection at W Northwest Highway and N Wilke Road, according to a release from police.

The car struck a traffic standard, street light, and a utility pole, causing downed utility lines and damage to the business located at 1718 W. Northwest Highway, also on the northeast corner of the intersection. The intersection was closed for an extended period while the Village of Arlington Heights Public Works Department and ComEd repaired the damaged utilities, and the Arlington Heights Police Department investigated the crash.

During the collision, the driver was ejected from the car, of which he was the only occupant. Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics briefly treated the driver at the scene before transporting him to Lutheran General Hospital. al.

No other persons were injured, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The Arlington Heights Police Department has issued the driver a citation for Improper Lane Use (applicable to drivers who leave their lane of travel in an unsafe fashion).

The 2012 Honda Accord was severely damaged in the accident, having been severed into distinct portions as a result of the impacts with the listed utilities. While the extent of damage done to the was indicative of a relatively high speed collision, the Arlington Heights Police Department does not expect any additional charges to be filed in the case.