Crime & Safety

UPDATE: 7 People Injured in Rollover Accident on Route 31 Near Rakow

Two accidents reported at about 7:30 p.m. in Crystal Lake, Cary and Lake in the Hills area.

Several people were transported to area hospitals Friday evening following a two-car collision on Route 31 south of Rakow Road in Crystal Lake. 

The accident closed both lanes of Route 31 to through-traffic between Rakow and Virginia roads for about 90 minutes. 

Crystal Lake Police Cmdr. Dan Dziewior said traffic was diverted while emergency crews tended to the injured, and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

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The crash occurred at about 7:04 p.m. Jan. 24, just south of Walmart.

An investigation determined a 1995 Toyota 4-Runner traveling north on Route 31 lost control and crossed into a southbound lane occupied by a 2007 Honda Odyssey van.

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The Toyota collided with the Honda, rolled over and ended up in a ditch on the western portion of Route 31, Dziewior said.    

The driver of the Toyota, Roberto DeAlba, 24, of Crystal Lake, and a woman were trapped inside the rolled-over car. The couple had a three-month baby in the car. The child was removed from the car by a person who stopped to help prior to emergency crews' arrival. 

The Honda was occupied by driver, Vasant R. Patal, 37, of Caledonia, Ill. and three adult passengers.

"Paramedics evaluated all occupants involved, and subsequently transported them to local hospitals," Dziewior said. "Injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, but serious enough to require immediate medical attention." 

Passenger information is not being released at this time, pending confirmation of identity. The crash remains under investigation. No citations have yet been issued, Dziewior said.  

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Original Story posted 8:40 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24


Motorists should avoid Route 31 south of Rakow Road in the Crystal Lake/ Cary/ Lake in the Hills area. The road is currently closed off in both directions. 

A multi-vehicle accident involving entrapment occurred near Whispering Hills Nursery, 8401 S. Route 31, Cary, at about 7:25 p.m. Several police, fire and ambulances were on the scene.

The crash site is located just south of the Walmart in Crystal Lake. 

Emergency responders were also on the scene of an accident on Pyott Road, just south of Rakow Road, at the same time. Cars were off the road and stuck in the snow near the Lake in the Hills Airport. 

Check back to Patch for more details.


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