Naperville teens hospitalized after early morning crash

Bolingbrook police believe a mix of speed and alcohol are to blame for an early morning crash today that hospitalized two area teens.

John Kulhanek, 17, of the 100 block of Cider Street in Bolingbrook, was taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville. Police said another 17-year-old from Naperville, whose identity has not yet been made public, was transferred from Edward to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with severe head injuries.

Bolingbrook Lt. Ken Teppel said Kulhanek was driving a 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo north on Kings Road toward Boughton Road just before 3 a.m. today. Teppel said Kulhanek lost control in a "sweeping curve from left to right," hit a fire hydrant, flipped the car on its roof and slid several hundred feet toward Boughton.

No other vehicles were involved.

Kulhanek had to be cut from the car. His unidentified passenger was ejected from the vehicle.

"They definitely took that sweeping curve too fast. The skid marks are still in the road," Teppel said this morning. "We know speed and alcohol were definitely contributing factors in this accident."

Kulhanek has been charged with improper lane use, driving too fast for conditions, failure to wear a seat belt and DUI.

Police are waiting for the passenger's condition to improve so he too can be interviewed about the crash.

Police said both youths are Neuqua Valley High School students.