State police: Semitrailer truck crashes into four vehicles on I-94 in Northbrook

Five people suffered serious injuries Sunday afternoon when a semitrailer truck crashed into four vehicles on Interstate 94 in Northbrook, authorities said.

A Kia Sportage, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Highlander and Nissan van were stopped in heavy traffic about 2:17 p.m. on eastbound I-94 near milepost 26.5, according to a news release from state police.

The driver of the semitrailer, 23-year-old Jeffrie Baker of Chicago, did not stop and hit all four vehicles in front of him, officials said. He was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Five people from various vehicles were taken to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries, police said.

They include Kia driver Robert Mendez, 36, of Chicago; Kia passenger Sara Vargas, 37, of Mundelein; Honda driver Rosa Julca, 46, of Round Lake Beach; Honda passenger Ilcia Julca, 48, of Lindenhurst; and a 13-year-old girl who was a passenger in the Nissan van.

Additional information was not immediately available. An investigation is ongoing.