Zero Crashes At Darien Intersection: Police

DARIEN, IL – A new Darien traffic light must have made a difference – in the form of no crashes.

In late 2023, the city installed a signal at Clarendon Hills Road and 67th Street, where police reported 35 crashes over the previous five years.

The number of crashes in 2024? Zero.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Police Chief Greg Thomas said traffic lights don't always solve such problems, but it appeared to do so in this case.

At the same time, another intersection – Lemont Road and 83rd Street – saw a surge in crashes in 2024. Officials were unsure why.

Last year, police responded to 26 crashes at the intersection. That's up from nine in 2023. In the three years before that, three collisions were reported.

Alderman Ralph Stompanato said it's possible crashes increased when the Salvation Army opened in the old CVS Pharmacy building on the southeast corner. CVS closed in early 2021.

Salvation Army opened in November 2024, so the building was empty most of the year.

"We have to look at that intersection to see what's going on," the chief said.

The intersections with the most crashes in 2024 were Cass Avenue and 75th Street (39) and Plainfield Road and 75th (29). Lemont and 83rd was third.