From Prospect Heights Fire Protection District Chief Drew Smith:
This morning at 5:07 AM on Saturday, May 1st, Prospect Heights and Wheeling emergency services were dispatched to a serious traffic accident involving a vehicle fire on eastbound Palatine Road, just east of the Canadian National railroad bridge. Initial reports indicate that a minivan caught fire, with at least two other vehicles involved in the crash.
Arriving firefighters found the scene chaotic but fortunately without any injuries requiring transport to the hospital, despite significant damage to the vehicles. A Superior ambulance was present but unable to pass through the crash site due to the severity of the incident. I’ve been informed that the paramedics initiated triage efforts even before our fire companies fully arrived on the scene.
Attached you can see some images taken by Prospect Heights FPD personnel showing the aftermath of the incident. One image captures Wheeling firefighters working on the car fire following the collision. Other photos provide additional perspectives of the scene, highlighting the extent of the damage and the coordinated response effort.
We’re thankful that no one was seriously injured, but this serves as a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate on our roads. Please drive safely and remain vigilant, especially during early morning hours when visibility may be limited.
[Caption for Photo: Prospect Heights FPD photo]
[Slideshow link available below for more images]
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