An elderly man has died following a weekend crash in which the SUV being driven by his wife struck a utility pole near Gurnee, Lake County authorities said Monday.
The identity of the 89-year-old Gurnee resident has not yet been released. His wife, 88, remained hospitalized Monday in critical condition.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the woman was driving a Toyota Rav4 and, moments before, had been in a minor collision with another vehicle. After the collision, the woman may have mistakenly pressed the accelerator before running into the pole, police said.
The crash happened at around 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of Illinois Route 41 and Stearns School Road.
The Rav 4 was headed south on Route 41 and was turning right onto westbound Stearns School Road. As it turned, it collided with a Kia that was driving north on 41 and making a left turn onto Stearns School.
Police said that the initial collision caused only minor damage. However, the driver of the Rav 4 then apparently pressed the accelerator, reaching a high speed before hitting the pole.
The couple were brought to a hospital with what police said were critical, life-threatening injuries. The man died Saturday night, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office. The other driver, a 20-year-old Richmond woman, was not hurt.
The accident remains under investigation.
