Illegal U-Turn Leads To 7-Vehicle Crash: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Seven vehicles were involved in a collision Tuesday afternoon along Route 120 in Gurnee.

The crash happened at about 4:20 p.m. when a vehicle made an illegal U-turn from westbound Route 120 onto eastbound Route 120 in the area of Hanlon Road, said Christopher Covelli, deputy chief with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

"Traffic began to slow for the vehicle making the illegal maneuver," but a 2017 Lexus RX350 failed to slow down and ran into the rear of a 2009 Honda Pilot, which had been slowing its speed, Covelli said.

The 2009 Pilot when collided with the rear of a 2016 Honda CR-V, which was pushed into a 2020 Honda Civic. The Honda Civic ran into the back of Honda Ridgeline. The first collision lead to a second collision, which happened when a 202 Chevrolet Colorado braked to avoid the crash.

A 2023 Ford Maverick was not able to stop in time and slammed into the back of the Chevrolet. The force caused the Ford to go underneath the Chevrolet.

The driver of the Lexus was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Police are working to identify the driver who made the illegal U-turn, Covelli said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.