Update: Two critical, one serious after crash in Harvard

From the Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Update: Two critical, one serious after crash in Harvard
HARVARD – Two youths are in critical condition and another is in serious condition after a single vehicle accident near Harvard on Thursday.

Sgt. Carolyn Hubbard with the McHenry County Sheriff's Department said Friday she didn't believe the injuries to the three were life-threatening. However, she did not have any updates on the youths' conditions.

Twenty-year-old Travis Repke was driving a 1999 Chevy van westbound Altenberg Road late Thursday afternoon, said Lt. Don Carlson. In the van were six family members, ranging from ages 6 to 17.

Around 5:22 p.m., the van struck a group of trees, according to a news release from the Harvard Fire Protection district.

Carlson said Repke told police he fell asleep at the wheel, which caused him to veer off the side of the road, cross over Shields Road and crash into the trees.

The impact of the crash was so much that at least two of the seven family members were ejected from the van, according to the release.

Harvard Fire was first at the scene, and requested three rescue helicopters for medical transport.

Flight for Life McHenry transported a nine-year-old male in critical condition to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Medflight, from Madison, Wis., transported a 17-year-old male in critical condition to Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford. An 11-year-old female in serious condition also was transported to the Rockford hospital, by Lifestar from Loyola Medical Center, according to the release.

Repke, a 16-year-old male, a 13-year-old male, and a 6-year-old male were treated and released at the scene.

Carlson said the sheriff's department is still investigating the incident, but it did not appear drugs, alcohol or speeding were factors. No charges had been filed as of 10:30 p.m. Thursday night.

Harvard Fire was assisted by Harvard Police and crews from Hebron and the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Fire and rescue crews from Marengo and Walworth, Wis., assisted with change of quarters.

– Diana Sroka