Arlington Hts. man killed in Wheeling crash

A 21-year-old Arlington Heights man killed in a two-car crash early Thursday morning at Hintz and Elmhurst roads in Wheeling was likely driving too fast, police said.

Police said the victim, Kyle Kelly of the 900 block of North Beverly Lane, was driving a 2006 Mercury Zephyr west on Hintz Road about 3:38 a.m. Thursday.

His vehicle struck the rear driver's side of a 2005 Lincoln Navigator heading south on Elmhurst Road, causing the Navigator to roll over and land upright on its tires.

The Wheeling Fire Department pulled a severely injured Kelly out of the vehicle and took him to Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, where he was pronounced dead at 4:39 a.m.

The 56-year-old male driver of the Lincoln Navigator got out of the vehicle on his own and called 911 just as police pulled up. He was taken to Northwest Community Hospital, where he was treated and released, police said.

Wheeling Acting Police Chief Bill Benson said investigators believe Kelly drove through a red light Thursday, while the other driver had a green signal. There is no red-light camera at that intersection, nor were there any witnesses.

"No citations were issued and we don't expect any charges," Benson said. "The investigation is still preliminary; however, we believe that speed was a factor on the part of (Kelly).

"We haven't completed the (accident) reconstruction to determine speed yet, but indications are it was in excess of the posted speed limit," which is 40 mph.

Police and fire officials closed Hintz Road in both directions between Route 83 and Schoenbeck Road for about six hours after the crash.