Buffalo Grove woman dies five days after head-on crash

A Buffalo Grove woman died Wednesday from injuries she suffered in a head-on crash on Milwaukee Avenue in Lincolnshire.

Shruti Phadnis, 26, died at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, nearly five days after the Jan. 13 crash, Lincolnshire police Det. John-Erik Anderson said.

Authorities said Phadnis was injured when driver of a Honda, which was heading south in the northbound lanes of Milwaukee Avenue, slammed head-on into her Toyota about 8:50 p.m., just south of Aptakistic Road. The name of the driver and others involved in the accident are being withheld while the accident is investigated and charges are filed.

Anderson said the Honda driver was heading east on Route 22 near Buffalo Grove Road and hit some street signs. As witnesses reported a reckless driver to police, the Honda driver made a right turn onto Milwaukee Avenue and wound up heading the wrong way.

Moments later, the Honda driver hit the Toyota head on, where Phadnis was riding as a front-seat passenger, Anderson said. The two cars then hit a third car, he said.

The crash sent Phadnis and the drivers of all three cars to area hospitals, Anderson said. The driver of the Toyota and the driver of the third car have been treated and released, but the driver of the Honda remains hospitalized, Anderson said.

Anderson said the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team is investigating the crash, and authorities are awaiting toxicology tests on all drivers.