Teens injured in serious crash in Hampshire Township

Kane County sheriff’s officials say it appears speed played a role in a crash Friday that seriously injured two 14-year-old boys from Lake in the Hills.

Authorities said a 16-year-old boy from Huntley was driving eastbound on Dietrich Road, just west of Route 20 in Hampshire Township, when he lost control of his car and hit a tree around 7:32 p.m. Friday.

According to a news release, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra driven by the 16-year-old became airborne and exited the roadway. The boy was able to return the car to the roadway, but the car slid sideways and hit a tree.

Authorities said the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed when the car became airborne. The car’s passenger side was heavily damaged from the crash, and both passengers had to be extricated.

The posted speed limit for the two-lane rural road is 40 mph, authorities said.

Both 14-year-olds were airlifted to Chicago area hospitals for life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car was driven to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital by his parents for his injuries, which were not life-threatening, authorities said.

No citations or charges have been issued as of Monday. Authorities said it remained unclear if the air bags deployed or if the driver or his passengers were wearing seat belts.

Witnesses to the accident captured the crash on video. The witnesses are being interviewed and video is being reviewed, according to a news release from the Kane County sheriff’s office. The crash remains under investigation.