Two girls suffer minor injuries in Vernon Hills crash

Two schoolchildren suffered minor injuries after they were struck by a minivan that had lurched out of control following an accident at Route 60 and Aspen Drive, authorities said.

The girls were waiting to cross Route 60 near Hawthorn Townline Elementary School at Aspen at 2:20 p.m. Thursday when a 49-year-old male driver of a van heading west on Route 60 went through the stop light and crashed into an eastbound van, Vernon Hills Police Officer Sharon Joseph said.

The westbound van, driven by Daniel Broustis of Libertyville, hit the eastbound van as it was turning left onto Aspen Drive, Joseph said.

The westbound van then careened forward, drove over the curb and hit the two 11-year-olds, Joseph said.

One girl was treated at the scene and released, Joseph said, but the second girl was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and treated for nonlife threatening injuries. She was released later Thursday.

A 61-year-old female passenger in the eastbound van was also taken to Condell for nonlife threatening injuries.

Neither driver was injured in the crash.

Westbound Route 60 was closed for about 20 minutes following the accident, Joseph said.

Broustis was cited for disobeying a traffic control device and speeding, she said.