Driver stable after crash on Rand Road in Arlington Heights

A driver who was airlifted to the hospital in a five-car crash in Arlington Heights was in stable condition Monday, police said.

Several people were taken to the hospital after the pileup that shut down sections of Rand Road for a stretch Sunday.

In addition to the driver who was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, about four other people were taken to the hospital, said Arlington Heights police Sgt. Andrew Whowell. He did not have an exact number.

The other injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

The collision occurred at 4:35 p.m. at Rand and Wilke roads when the driver of a 2000 Jeep sport utility vehicle turned left onto northwest-bound Rand Road from Wilke Road and hit the driver of a Ford Expedition. After being hit, the driver of the Expedition lost control of his vehicle and struck three other cars, Whowell said.

The person who was airlifted to the hospital was in one of the three vehicles hit by the Expedition, Whowell said.

He was wearing a seat belt, which may have saved his life, Whowell said.

"It absolutely made a difference," he said. "Wearing a seat belt always helps in accidents like these."

No drivers had been ticketed as of Monday, but the collision remains under investigation and tickets could be issued this week, Whowell said.