Oak Brook police officers saved someone who was involved in a single-vehicle crash during the early morning hours Sunday on Interstate 88, near Route 83.
An Oak Brook officer was conducting patrol duties northbound on Route 83 near 31st Street at 3:38 a.m. Sunday when a car passed at a high rate of speed, police said. The vehicle was observed traveling without any exterior or interior lights illuminated. The officer saw the vehicle exit onto eastbound Interstate 88 and attempted to catch up, police said.
Upon entering eastbound Interstate 88, the officer encountered a crashed vehicle that had rolled over, and its engine compartment was fully engulfed in flames, police said. The vehicle’s sole occupant was trapped inside, they said.
The officer, along with additional responding Oak Brook officers, immediately deployed fire extinguishers to suppress the fire while working to extricate the occupant.
Officers crawled underneath the overturned vehicle and successfully removed the motorist.
The vehicle’s occupant and two officers sustained minor injuries, including smoke inhalation, police said. All were transported to a local hospital, treated, and subsequently released.
“These officers acted without hesitation, placing themselves in harm’s way,” Oak Brook police Chief Brian Strockis said. “There is no doubt that their actions saved this individual’s life. I am grateful that only minor injuries were sustained, and I could not be more proud of their bravery and professionalism.”
The vehicle involved in the crash was later determined to be the same vehicle observed traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 83, police said. The Illinois State Police are conducting the ongoing crash investigation.
