1 badly hurt in Crystal Lake crash

Two people were injured early Thursday morning in a two-car accident on Route 176 in Crystal Lake, officials said.

The accident took place about 6:01 a.m. just east of Mt. Thabor Road, Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Dennis Harris said.

Harris said a 1990 Cadillac driven by Leonid Tchaikovski of Marengo was heading east on Route 176 when he was passed by a red Chevy Cavalier driven by an unknown driver.

The Cavalier had crossed into the westbound lane to pass the Cadillac when 21-year-old Deanna Shackleford of Round Lake Beach was driving her 2008 Chevy Cobalt west in the same area, Harris said. Schackleford swerved onto the shoulder to avoid the Cavalier, Harris said, then tried to steer back onto the road. However, the Cobalt lost control and swerved in front of the Cadillac.

Unable to stop, the front of the Cadillac slammed into the passenger side of the Cobalt.

The Cavalier swerved back into the eastbound lane and continued on, Harris said.

Shackleford was taken from the scene via Flight for Life helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, while Tchaikovski was taken to Centegra Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock. He has been treated and released, Harris said.

Crystal Lake Fire Battalion Chief Thomas Pollnow said it took 25 minutes to extract Schackleford from the car.

Route 176 was closed for about two hours while police accident investigators detailed the scene and tried to piece together what happened, Harris said.

Police are still searching for the driver of the red Chevrolet Cavalier.

Anyone with information regarding the accident should call the Crystal Lake Police Department at (815) 356-3620.