3 badly hurt in Sugar Grove crash

Three people were injured Monday and two remain hospitalized late in the day following a head-on collision at Route 47 north of Jericho Road in Sugar Grove, officials said.

Jacqueline Ann Gross, 18, of the 1-10 block of Marlin Drive in Oswego, Martin Biernat, 46, of the 700 block of Easton Lane in Elk Grove Village, and Joshua J. Blomberg of the 100 block of Sutton Avenue in Sugar Grove were transported to Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, according to Sugar Grove Investigative Officer John Sizer.

A spokesman for the hospital said late Monday afternoon, Gross was hospitalized in fair condition and Biernat was in good condition. Blomberg was treated and released.

According to police, Gross was driving a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am north on Route 47 when it crossed the center line and struck a beige 2001 Honda Accord driven by Biernat. The Honda went onto the shoulder of the road and was struck from behind by a 1997 Toyota Highlander driven by Blomberg. There were no passengers in any of the three cars.

Sizer said the cause of the crash is unknown and the incident is still under investigation. No citations have been issued.

"For some reason, we have had quite a number of serious accidents between Jericho Road and Prairie Street on Route 47 in the past year," Sizer said. "There's no good explanation for it. The road is relatively straight and in good condition."

There is a stop sign at Prairie Street and a stop light at Jericho Road. The stretch is about two miles long, with speed limits along Route 47 ranging from 45 to 55 mph.

Sizer said the road was clear and dry at the time and there is no evidence of alcohol or drugs. He also said that speed did not appear to be factor as witnesses told him that all three cars involved seemed to be traveling at the speed limit.