Man ejected from car in Carol Stream crash

A 21-year-old Carol Stream man was hospitalized after being ejected from his car during a Tuesday morning crash in Carol Stream.

Eric Melendez was driving north on Gary Avenue just before 8 a.m. when his 2000 Dodge Neon collided with a Toyota Camry driven by Mike Patel, authorities said. Patel, 31, of Streamwood, was attempting to make a left turn from southbound Gary to eastbound Fullerton Avenue when the crash happened.

Melendez, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, was thrown from his car.

He was transported to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield and then transferred to another hospital, officials said. Details about Melendez's condition were unavailable.

Meanwhile, Carol Stream police Lt. Jerry O'Brien said investigators are trying to determine what caused the crash.

"The light was changing or had changed," O'Brien said. "And that's what we're investigating."

Alcohol does not seem to be a factor in the crash, he added.

If Melendez had been wearing a seat belt, he probably would have walked away from the crash, O'Brien said.

"Wearing seat belts truly reduces injuries and saves lives," he said.