4 crashes snarl Crystal Lake traffic

Traffic was backed up on James Rakow Road in Crystal Lake Monday due to four separate crashes and continuing road construction.

“This was the Bermuda Triangle of traffic today for us,” Crystal Lake Police Cmdr. Dan Dziewior said.

He said all four crashes were on a straight section of road that is under construction, all were rear-end collisions and none were at a high speed.

“I’m not sure what’s bringing the rear end collisions, other than the drivers not paying attention,” Dziewior said.

One of the crashes occurred at 3:11 p.m. at the intersection Pyott Road and Rakow Road when a 57-year-old Bloomingdale man on a motorcycle ran into the back of a 1998 Ford Explorer, according to police.

Authorities said the SUV stopped at a red light and the driver could not stop in time.

The driver was examined by paramedics, but declined further treatment, police said.

Traffic was diverted from the southbound lanes of Pyott Road for about 30 minutes.

Police sent an alert out Monday afternoon advising drivers to take an alternate route around Rakow Road due to the crashes and construction.

The driver of the motorcycle was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision, police said.

Dziewior said two people were injured in the other crashes, which were handled by the Lake in the Hills Police Department.

However, those injuries did not require transport to the hospital.