Watch CBS News

Ambulance Crashes In Evergreen Park

Updated 04/12/11 - 3:21 p.m.

EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- Three people were injured when an ambulance and two other vehicles crashed and the ambulance overturned in Evergreen Park on Tuesday morning.

According to the Evergreen Park Fire Department, the private ambulance and two other vehicles were involved in a crash at 2637 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park around 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The ambulance did not have lights or sirens on and was not transporting a patient at the time of the crash, police said.

The ambulance accelerated and struck a car that was in front of it, according to police. The car spun around and hit an SUV in the next lane that was headed in the same direction, while the ambulance proceeded across the street, hit a curb and ended up on its side, the police spokesman said.

Two EMTs were hurt and taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital. One EMT suffered a cut on the hand, the other was only shaken up. A female passenger of one of the other vehicles involved in the crash also was shaken up and sent to Little Company of Mary. Both EMTs and the woman were later treated and released.

The ambulance landed between that a curb and a street light, Kleinhaus said.

Traffic along the busy stretch of 95th Street was halted for about 45 minutes following the crash. Evergreen Park public works crews had to remove the pole that ambulance struck.

The ambulance driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and damage to village property, police said.

(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.