3 Preschoolers Injured When Truck Drives Through Church, 2 Adults, 2 Cops Hospitalized

PALOS PARK, IL — A pick-up truck drove through a Palos Park church Friday afternoon, injuring three preschoolers. Another adult church member suffered a medical emergency and the driver of the pickup are also being treated at hospitals.

The driver, a 29-year-old Oak Forest man, was heading eastbound on 123rd Street/McCarthy Road around 4:30 p.m., when police said he veered off the roadway and crossed 86th Avenue into the parking lot of The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. The pickup continued through the church parking lot, crashing through the building into the children's classroom. Chief Joe Miller, of the Palos Park Police Department, said it appeared that the driver of the pickup truck had a medical emergency.

Three young children from the church’s preschool were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where investigators are with their families. Miller told Patch that one of the children had a broken femur, while the other children suffered scrapes and bruises. All three children remain hospitalized.

The driver of the pickup was taken to Northwestern Palos Hospital. A church staff member suffered a medical emergency while the Palos Fire Department was on the scene and was brought to Northwestern Palos.

Two Palos Park police officers are also currently hospitalized at Northwestern Palos for inhalation of construction debris while trying to evacuate children out of the church where the truck had come to a rest, Miller said.

Palos Park police and village staff are working with the Transfiguration Church staff and partner agencies as the investigation continues.

The Accident Reconstruction Team and evidence technicians are expected to continue working through the overnight hours at 123rd Street and 86th Avenue

Early Saturday morning, Palos Park police also obtained warrants to retrieve the pickup truck’s black box. Palos Park detectives also recovered video and other technical evidence, consistent with witness statements and other evidence.

As the investigation continues, indications are consistent with an earlier statement that the driver of the pickup truck may have suffered a medical emergency. Police said they plan to subpoena the Oak Forest man’s medical records.

Charges, if any, will be decided as the investigation progresses, the police chief said.