Medical Emergency Caused McHenry Starbucks Crash: Police

MCHENRY, IL — A pickup truck driver suffered a medical emergency before crashing into a McHenry Starbucks on Thursday afternoon, authorities said Friday. Five people were injured, one critically, when the truck crashed into the Starbucks at 4305 W. Elm St.

The full-size Dodge Ram was headed west on West Elm Street and left the roadway east of the intersection of Oak Drive about 4:40 p.m.

The truck first hit a Nissan SUV in the drive-thru and then slammed into the northwest corner of the Starbucks, according to a news release from the McHenry Police Department.

The driver of the truck, a 53-year-old Lakemoor man, suffered a medical emergency prior to the collision, authorities said. He will not be cited or charged in connection with the incident. authorities said.

Emergency personnel from McHenry and neighboring fire departments responded and were able to get one person, a 21-year-old Starbucks barista, out from under the truck, according to a news release. The barista was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville in critical condition.

Gas was leaking as crews worked to extricate the barista from underneath the truck, authorities told ABC Chicago.

Three other people were taken to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry and were listed in fair condition. The driver of the Nissan SUV was treated and released.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, authorities said.

The Starbucks sustained extensive damage and part of the building collapsed. The structural safety of the building was being assessed by McHenry Planning and Development.

On Thursday night, crews worked to remove the truck from the building.

Following the collision, McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett asked local residents to pray for those injured in the accident, as well as the employees and customers at the scene, according to a Facebook post Thursday evening. He also lauded the emergency personnel for their quick response.

"I was on scene within a few minutes and witnessed several men and women step into action in this bitter cold to save lives," he wrote. "I have ALWAYS respected the Police, Dispatch and Fire Department for what they do, but today they deserve the most highest respect for how they all handled this situation."

Route 120 between Meadow and Crystal Lake Road was closed overnight. The McHenry Police Department asked residents to avoid the area for "several hours" as emergency personnel worked at the scene.

The roadway was reopened as of 6:15 a.m. Friday.

This is a developing story. Patch will update with more information as it becomes available.