I-94 pileup snarls traffic, injures 9

A seven-vehicle pileup on I-94 near Grand Avenue in Gurnee shut down westbound traffic during rush hour Thursday, police said.

Nine people were injured in the crash that occurred around 5:30 p.m., and three were sent to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, said Gurnee Fire Department Batallion Chief Bob Heraver.

Police said there were conflicting stories of what caused the crash, but witnesses said a semitrailer truck in the far right exit lane at Grand Avenue ended up sweeping across the four-lane portion of the interstate and into the median.

“There are two versions (of the story),” said Illinois State Police Sgt. Serrano. “It's a matter of the truck driver lost control first or he avoided two vehicles that crashed in front of him.

Westbound traffic on I-94 was shut down for about 45 minutes while the semitrailer and a number of vehicles totaled in the accident were towed from the scene, police said. Three vehicles sustained “very heavy damage,” and one was rolled on its side, Serrano said.

One person taken to the hospital was listed in fair condition with what looked like a head injury and the two others were in good condition, authorities said.

Traffic was diverted to the Grand Avenue exit while crews cleared the scene.