Horrific Joliet Wreck: Driver Runs From Car, 1 Patient Sent To Loyola

JOLIET — While most citizens of Joliet were sound asleep, the overnight shift at the Joliet Police Department responded to a major crash with serious injuries near downtown Joliet, at Benton Street and North Chicago Street. The crash was so serious that one of the critically injured passengers needed to be flown to Loyola University Medical Center.

According to Joliet Police spokesman Dwayne English, at 2:56 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to the area of North Chicago Street and Benton Street for a collision with injuries.

A Chevrolet Aveo driven by a 34-year-old Joliet man and a Saturn Aura with an unidentified driver were both southbound on North Chicago Street approaching Benton Street. Police believe the Saturn hit the back of the Chevrolet, causing the Chevrolet to roll over near the southwest corner of the intersection.

According to English, the driver of the Saturn got out of the car and ran, leaving the unoccupied vehicle at the crash scene. The driver of the Chevrolet sustained minor injuries and declined transportation to the hospital. A 43-year-old male passenger of the Chevrolet was extricated from the vehicle by the Joliet Fire Department and taken to St Joseph Medical Center in critical, but stable condition.

That injured passenger was later transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood for further medical treatment, police said.

The driver of the Saturn had not been found as of late Monday morning.

According to police, officers learned that the people involved in this crash may have been involved in an earlier altercation at Los Gavenos bar, 1101 N. Hickory St., but the incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with video footage or information regarding this crash investigation is urged to contact the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at (815)724-3193.