Two 15-year-old girls were seriously injured Tuesday night when a sport-utility vehicle hit the electric bicycle they were sharing in Libertyville. The crash happened just after 9 p.m. near the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Winchester Road. Both teens were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center, and one was later transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago with life-threatening injuries. Police said the SUV driver was not hurt. The collision remains under investigation.
What Police Say Happened in the Crash
Investigators were told that a gray Chevrolet Blazer was traveling north on Milwaukee Avenue and went through the Winchester Road intersection on a green light when it struck the e-bike as it crossed the roadway, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Officials said both riders were 15 years old and were sharing a single e-bike at the time of impact. The Blazer’s driver was not reported injured.
Teen Riders Rushed to Two Hospitals
Paramedics took both girls to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. One of them was later transported to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago for treatment of what authorities described as life-threatening injuries, as reported by the Daily Herald. The other teen’s injuries were described as not life-threatening. Police had not released their names or any additional medical updates.
Crash Specialists Called In
The Libertyville Police Department is investigating the collision with help from the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team, whose crash specialists inspected the scene to determine possible contributing factors, according to CBS Chicago. Police have not announced any charges connected to the crash.
E-Bike Rules and Safer Streets in the Spotlight
Village records show that Libertyville officials have recently been talking through e-bike rules and safety education, including potential restrictions on certain e-bikes in the downtown area and expanded school-based safety programs, according to the Bicycle Advisory Commission minutes. The commission has also pushed for crosswalk and traffic signal upgrades along Milwaukee Avenue in an effort to cut down on conflicts between drivers and people walking or biking.
The crash remains under investigation, and authorities said they plan to release more information as it becomes available.
