Cops: Crystal Lake teens injured in alcohol-related crashes

Two Crystal Lake teens had alcohol in their systems before crashing their vehicles early Wednesday morning, resulting in injuries to both drivers, according to police.

The driver of the first vehicle, Thomas Hogan, 18, veered off a two-lane roadway near Woodstock on a curve and went airborne, according the McHenry County sheriff’s office. Hogan’s Jeep Wrangler struck a utility guide wire and some trees on the 9900 block of Lucas Road.

Damian Dzitkowski, 19, was directly behind Hogan in the westbound lane of Lucas Road and followed the Jeep as it crossed the eastbound lanes and drove off the road, police said.

Dzitkowski’s vehicle, a four-door Buick, struck a utility pole and some trees, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash at 2:02 a.m. alongside Crystal Lake rescue crews, who took Hogan to the helipad at Centegra Hospital in Woodstock. Hogan was transferred by Flight for Life to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Dzitkowski was taken to Centegra Hospital, where he was treated and released, according to police.

Thomas was charged with a zero tolerance violation, meaning he had alcohol in his system as a minor but was not over the legal limit of .08, according to the sheriff’s office.

Dzitkowski was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.