Wrong-Way Driver Killed In 5-Vehicle Accident, 3 Hospitalized

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – The driver of a vehicle that was traveling west in the eastbound lane of Rakow Road was killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Sunday that also hospitalized three other people, police said.

Crystal Lake Police responded to the scene of the accident at 1:51 p.m. where they discovered five vehicles involved in the accident on Rakow Road just east of Pyott Road.

The initial investigation of the accident determined that the driver of a Honda CR-V was traveling west on Rakow Road from Munshaw Lane while driving in the eastbound lane, police said in a news release. The vehicle then struck another Honda CR-V EX as well as another vehicle, both of which were traveling east at the time of the accident.

The vehicle that had been traveling in the wrong lane continued to do so and collided head-on with a Buick Enclave, which caused another collision with a fifth vehicle, a Nissan Versa. Both vehicles were traveling east as well, police said.

The driver of the vehicle moving in the wrong lane was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released the identity of the driver. Three other people were transported to the hospital and two other people were treated at the scene.

Police remain in the early stages of the investigation into the accident and do not have further information at this time.