On Friday, October 17, at approximately 7:35 p.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District was dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle accident at Rt. 50 and County Line Road. Initial reports indicated multiple patients with possible entrapment. The response was immediately upgraded to an extrication assignment.

First arriving Manhattan units reached the scene in under six minutes and found a passenger van and semi-truck with significant damage and multiple occupants trapped in the passenger vehicle. A Full Still alarm was requested, bringing additional resources from Monee, Manteno, Frankfort, and University Park Fire Departments to assist. A LifeStar medical helicopter also was requested to the scene.

Firefighters worked rapidly to extricate the victims from the wreckage. A total of seven patients were identified:

   •   Two critical (Red)

   •   Three moderate (Yellow)

   •   One minor (Green)

   •   One deceased at the scene

All patients were transported to area trauma centers. One of the critically injured patients later was pronounced deceased at the hospital, and a pediatric patient was airlifted to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago. The conditions of the remaining patients are unknown at this time.

Beecher and Grant Park Fire Protection Districts provided coverage for Station 83, responding to two separate emergency calls during the incident. Channahon and Elwood Fire Protection Districts provided coverage for Station 81.

Crews remained on scene for several hours assisting the Illinois State Police (ISP) with investigation and scene safety. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the ISP.

This crash represents another serious and fatal incident at the intersection of Rt. 50 and County Line Road, a location that continues to present significant safety concerns for motorists and emergency responders. The Manhattan Fire Protection District continues to work with legislators and local agencies to expedite safety improvements at this intersection.

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