Ambulance Involved in Ill. Crash That Injured 10

Sept. 28--Ten people were hurt in an accident involving at least five cars and a private ambulance on Interstate 57 on the Far South Side early Monday, authorities said.

Two cars initially collided around 2:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-57 near 119th Street, according to the Illinois State Police.

A private ambulance stopped to help the injured in the two cars, which were blocking the right shoulder of the highway. But another car struck the ambulance, according to Illinois State Police Sgt. Bridget Gilgenberg, who said one of the cars rolled over.

While crews responded in the northbound lanes, two cars crashed in the southbound lanes across from the initial scene when one car stopped to see what happened and was struck by a another vehicle, Gilgenberg said.

Eight people were injured in the pileup in the northbound lanes, and two men were hurt in the crash in the southbound lanes, according to Chicago fire Chief Juan Hernandez. Five of the 10 were seriously injured.

A 54-year-old man, a 26-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were taken in serious but stable condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

A 25-year-old man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and a 50-year-old man was taken to Stroger Hospital. Both were listed in serious condition, Hernandez said.

A man and a woman in their 20s were taken in fair condition to MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island. Two men who were injured in the southbound lanes were taken in fair condition to St. Bernard Hospital and to MetroSouth as well, Hernandez said. He said one person refused medical treatment at the scene.

All lanes were reopened by 4:15 a.m., according to state police.

Gilgenberg said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash involving the car that hit the ambulance.

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