Elgin church closed after vehicle crashes into it
The New Hope Baptist Church in Elgin won’t be holding Sunday school or services after a man crashed his vehicle into the building.
The accident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday when the driver lost control of his vehicle while driving south on McLean Boulevard and struck a corner of the church, located at 1405 Wing St., Elgin Fire Battalion Chief Tim Michaels said.
The impact caused the car to flip onto its roof, Michaels said. The man, who police believe to be about 50, was able to get out of the vehicle before paramedics arrived at the scene.
He was transported to Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin with injuries that aren’t life-threatening, Elgin Police Lt. Dan O’Shea said.
O’Shea said the man hasn’t been cited pending the outcome of an investigation. Officers don’t think alcohol or drugs were a factor, he added.
Michaels said damage to the building didn’t appear severe, but it’s been “red-tagged” and deemed uninhabitable until a structural engineer inspects the church to make sure it’s safe.
The vehicle also hit support wires for a ComEd pole, knocking out power for about an hour.
No one at the church could be reached for comment.