Officer hit by car in Wauconda

A Wauconda police officer was injured Thursday afternoon when he was hit by an out-of-control vehicle while assisting another motorist on Route 12 near Route 176.

Officer Jim McClain, a three-year veteran of the department, was at an accident scene at 5:12 p.m. when the second collision occurred. While walking to the second scene, a vehicle lost control, struck a guard rail and then the officer.

Investigators believe icy surface conditions contributed to the vehicle losing control.

McClain was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for traumatic leg injuries. Wauconda police said he suffered no broken bones, but sustained major tears and lacerations requiring surgery.

The driver of the vehicle that struck McClain is a Lake Zurich woman, but police aren't releasing her identity. Any possible charges would be issued next week, police said.

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 12 near the Route 176 overpass were closed until shortly before 10 p.m. so that crews could investigate, Wauconda police said.