Driver Airlifted After Semi Hits Car Lucky To Be Alive

FRANKFORT, IL — The driver of car that was hit in the side by a semi-truck is lucky to be alive following an accident Monday night at Laraway and LaGrange roads, according to Frankfort authorities. The man was airlifted to an area hospital after it took emergency crews about two hours to extract him from his car, a release from the Frankfort Fire Protection District stated Tuesday.

Firefighters responded to the crash at about 10:50 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, after a semi slammed into the side of a car, driving both vehicles into a traffic light pole in the southeast corner of the intersection, according to the fire protection district. First responders immediately called for additional help, and rescue workers from New Lenox, Manhattan, Tinley Park, Richton Park and Orland Park assisted at the scene.

The driver of the car was finally extracted from his vehicle at around 1 a.m., and he remained conscious during that time, the fire protection district release stated. He then was flown by LifeStar Helicopter to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, and he was doing well and in stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon, Frankfort Deputy Police Chief Kevin Keegan said. After seeing photos from the accident scene, Keegan said the car's driver is fortunate not only to be alive, but that he didn't suffer more serious injuries.

The semi driver refused medical attention at the scene, and he was cited for not obeying a traffic control signal, Keegan said. The name of the semi driver was not being released while police continue their investigation, which include going over the driver's travel logs, Keegan said. The truck's registration and the driver's license are both out of Florida, however, he added.

The Frankfort Fire Protection District didn't leave the crash scene until 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Firefighters at the scene of a crash between a semi-truck and car Monday, Dec. 18, at Laraway and LaGrange roads. (Photos via Frankfort Fire Protection District)