Passenger critically injured in Elgin crash; police say not a result of chase

Authorities say a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Elgin that left a passenger critically injured was not part of an earlier police pursuit along I-90.

According to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were assisting the Gilberts Police Department with a traffic stop Saturday night when three vehicles failed to yield to emergency lights. A deputy pursued the vehicles eastbound on I-90, authorities said.

As the fleeing vehicles approached Route 31 in Elgin, a fourth, uninvolved vehicle attempted to exit onto Route 31 and crashed, authorities said. The crash was not part of the pursuit, and the deputy did not witness it, according to the sheriff’s office.

Emergency personnel responded after a passerby reported the crash. The passenger in the vehicle was transported by ambulance to a hospital and then airlifted to another hospital with critical injuries.

The driver was evaluated and released on scene.

The deputy ended the pursuit east of Exit 59. The investigation into the three vehicles that failed to yield to emergency lights is ongoing, officials said.

rwest@dailyherald.com