Cops: Woman was using phone before Rte. 53 crash

A Buffalo Grove woman was looking down at her cellphone when she sideswiped a truck on Route 53 last night causing her to lose control and smash into a man changing his tire, police said.

The man was seriously injured in the crash and was unconscious while being transported to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was later listed in stable condition, according to fire officials.

Police said 23-year-old Kelly Luch was scrolling through her cellphone when she swiped the side of a semi-tractor in the northbound lanes of Route 53 just south of Kirchoff Road at about 7:45 p.m.

She then lost control of the vehicle, veered onto the shoulder and struck the vehicle the man was changing the tire on, pinning him between the median and car, according to Illinois State Police.

Luch was ticketed for operating an electronic device while driving, driving on the shoulder and improper lane usage, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Rene Benavidez.