Medical Emergency Led To Driver Crashing Car Into Building

PALATINE, IL — A Palatine man remains hospitalized Wednesday just days after crashing into a vacant building and getting stuck inside his burning car. Police said the 48-year-old man suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel that led to the crash. He remains in stable condition at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was brought Friday evening for additional treatment after first being treated at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

According to a release from the Palatine Police Department, police responded just before noon Friday to a report that a 2015 Kia Soul drove through a brick wall of a vacant storefront building in the 600 block of E. Dundee Road. Responding units were also advised that a 48-year-old driver was trapped inside the car and the car was on fire, police said.

According to the release, a Palatine police detective was the first officer at the scene thanks to hearing the radio call while eating lunch at a nearby restaurant.

More: Man Trapped In Burning Car After Crash Into Building: Police

Police said the detective was unable to open the front driver’s side or passenger side doors to get to the man, because the car was lodged into the building. Police said the driver was conscious although he was suffering from a medical emergency and unable to speak to the detective, or follow any commands.

According to the release, the inside of the car was on fire while the driver was still trapped. Other officers and bystanders at the scene tried to get the flames under control with fire extinguishers, but were unsuccessful, police said. The detective and two bystanders attached a tow strap from the car to the detective’s police vehicle, and the detective pulled the car out from the building, according to police. Once again, officers and bystanders immediately attacked the flames with fire extinguishers, police added.

While the car burned, the detective and officers opened the driver's side door, but couldn't get the man out due to his medical emergency, and the extreme heat and fire inside the car.

Palatine Fire Department members arrived and were able to get further inside the vehicle to remove the driver.

According to the release, no police officers, bystanders or firefighters were injured.

Based on the crash investigation, it was determined that if it weren’t for the quick actions of the police officers, bystanders and firefighters at the scene, the driver would have remained trapped inside the burning car, leading to serious injury or death, police said.