Lake County

At least 19 hospitalized after prisoner transport van crash in Lake County

The crash closed Belvidere Road in suburban Hainesville, police said

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Authorities remain on the scene of a crash involving a prisoner transport van in suburban Lake County on Wednesday afternoon, with at least 19 people taken to local hospitals.

According to Total Traffic, Belvidere Road in Hainesville remains closed in both directions between Route 134 and Hainesville Road due to the crash.

In the latest update from officials, a spokesperson said a McHenry County Sheriff’s Office inmate transport bus was en route to the McHenry County jail from the Lake County jail when it collided with an eastbound sedan that was turning left at an intersection.

A total of 16 inmates, 15 from Lake County and one from McHenry County, were transported to area hospitals, as were two McHenry County correctional officers, according to officials.

There was no immediate word on the condition of any of the individuals, though officials in Lake County had indicated none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The driver of the sedan was also transported to an area hospital.

All ambulances transporting inmates were followed by police from several agencies, and all inmates remain in police custody, officials said.

Grayslake police will continue to investigate the crash.

We will update this story with additional details as they become available.

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