No injuries but $100K damage reported after SUV crashes into Wauconda fire station

Sleeping fire personnel escaped injury early Tuesday when a vehicle crashed into Wauconda Fire District Station 1, resulting in extensive damage to the building.

Joshua Majeski, 24, of Chicago faces several charges stemming from the crash, which occurred shortly after midnight at the station, 109 W. Liberty St. (Route 176) in Wauconda, police said.

An Acura SUV driven north on Route 59 (Barrington Road) by Majeski left the roadway, crossed a grassy area and Route 176 before crashing into the front of the station, according to the district.

Operations were not affected and no injuries were reported to firefighters, Majeski or a passenger, fire officials said.

The impact occurred in the administrative office area of the station. Fire district personnel were sleeping in other areas and not near the point of impact, according to the district.

The crash did not damage any fire apparatus or ambulances. A front office is unusable but otherwise operations are unaffected, said Division Chief Mike DaValle.

“Luckily, they stopped where they did,” DaValle said. “It’s a minor inconvenience that unfortunately will cost us a lot of money.”

Initial estimates to repair the damage were set at $100,000, according to the district. A structural engineer will be checking the damage today, DaValle added.

Wauconda police said open beer cans, THC gummies and vapes were found in the vehicle.

Majeski is charged with driving under the influence; driving under the influence with a blood alcohol count above 0.08%; and driving under the influence of alcohol/intoxicating compounds, authorities said. He also was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol and possession of cannabis; disregarding a stop sign; improper lane usage; and failure to reduce speed.

He was released pending a future court date.

In a separate incident, a vehicle struck decorative planters in front of Greater Round Lake Fire Station 1, 409 W. Nippersink Road in Round Lake, at about 6:24 a.m. Monday.

The station was not hit but a window in the building cracked and two concrete planters and a bench were damaged. Station operations were unaffected, the fire district reported.

No one in the station or vehicle were injured. Police said the driver suffered a medical emergency and there were no signs of impairment.