At a Glance
- A 95-year-old man died after his stalled Accord was rear-ended by an SUV while he was underneath checking the engine
- Three passengers across both vehicles were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries
- The impact also sideswiped an empty school bus, though its driver was unharmed
- Why it matters: A routine breakdown turned deadly when traffic conditions and driver response failed to prevent a fatal collision
A routine attempt to fix a stalled car turned fatal on a suburban Illinois road when a 95-year-old driver was struck and killed while inspecting the engine of his disabled vehicle.
The Collision
The crash occurred at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, at the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Quentin Road in Deer Park, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies first received reports of a disabled vehicle at that location. Moments later, the call was upgraded to a “serious traffic crash,” the agency said in a news release.
A 2006 Honda Accord had broken down in the center westbound lane of Lake Cook Road, investigators said. The elderly driver exited the car and crouched beneath the front bumper to examine the engine area, according to witness statements cited by authorities.
A 2024 Honda HR-V, driven by a 30-year-old man from Cary, approached from behind and slammed into the rear of the stalled Accord. The impact trapped the 95-year-old underneath his own vehicle.
Fatal Outcome
Emergency responders arrived to find the Accord driver suffering major injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three additional people were transported to nearby hospitals:
- The 30-year-old SUV driver
- A 30-year-old female passenger from Arlington Heights riding in the HR-V
- A 77-year-old woman who had been a passenger in the Accord
All three sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff’s office said. None of the individuals involved have been publicly identified.
Secondary Impact
The force of the crash pushed the Accord sideways, causing it to sideswipe a school bus that had been traveling in the adjacent lane. The bus driver was the only occupant and escaped injury.
Traffic in the area was restricted for several hours while crash-reconstruction teams documented the scene and cleared debris from the roadway.
Investigation Status
Authorities have not announced any citations or charges. Detectives are reviewing:
- Dash-cam footage from the school bus
- Statements from the SUV driver and passenger
- Physical evidence from both vehicles
- Road-surface conditions at the time of the collision
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and additional details will be released once the report is finalized.
Amanda S. Bennett reported this story for News Of Los Angeles.
