Crash closes Rt. 31 in Crystal Lake for nearly an hour

Crystal Lake police are investigating a one-car crash that closed down Route 31 for nearly an hour Thursday afternoon and caused Nicor and ComEd to check for possible utility damage.

Police said the driver reported his brakes failed as he was traveling north on Route 31 just before 4:30 p.m. The driver told police he jumped from his 2002 Grand Prix, which veered off the road and crashed into a gas utility box near the intersection at Brighton Lane.

Paramedics transported the driver, Evan T. Hoeltje, 21, of McHenry, to Northern Illinois Medical Center with minor injuries.

Because there was an odor of natural gas present, precautionary measures were taken, with Route 31 closed down for 47 minutes.

Nicor and ComEd were called to the scene, but after an inspection, the scene was deemed safe and the vehicle was removed.

No citations were issued, police said.