GURNEE, Lake County, Ill., Sept. 26, 2026 — Three people were reported injured on Saturday, September 26, after a multi-vehicle crash on the left shoulder of westbound Interstate 94 near the 11-mile post, close to Route 120. A 911 caller reported that two pedestrians had been struck by a vehicle, one of whom was reportedly pinned between a car and a wall.
Illinois State Police, along with the Gurnee Fire Department and the Libertyville Fire Department, responded to the scene. Investigators say the injury count reportedly includes three people hurt, and one of them may be a child, though that detail has not been confirmed.
Detectives were requested to the scene to examine how the collision unfolded. Details on the vehicles involved, the exact sequence of the crash, and the conditions of those injured have not been released.
The extent of the injuries and the circumstances that led pedestrians to be on the shoulder of the interstate remain under investigation. Authorities have not said whether charges are expected.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups
Many drivers assume that pile-ups on highways happen mainly because of bad weather or poor visibility. In reality, a stopped or disabled vehicle on a shoulder, or people standing outside their cars, can turn an ordinary stretch of interstate into a hazard zone even on a clear day. The presence of pedestrians near live traffic lanes, whether checking on another vehicle or waiting for help, adds a risk that has little to do with road conditions.
It's also commonly believed that shoulders are a safe place to be once a vehicle is off the traveled lanes. Crash data tells a different story: vehicles drifting onto shoulders, whether from distraction or evasive maneuvers, remain a leading cause of harm to people standing outside their cars.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure includes pedestrians, a reminder that danger on the roadway isn't limited to the people inside vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. A first crash or disabled vehicle on a shoulder usually draws a second incident, either from drivers slowing to look or from someone stepping out of a vehicle into traffic. Emergency responders frequently work to shield the scene for this reason.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes hard to investigate?
Investigators have to reconstruct the order in which vehicles or people were struck, sometimes using skid marks, vehicle damage, and witness accounts, since the involvement of several vehicles or people can make timing and fault difficult to sort out.
What causes chain-reaction crashes on highways?
Common factors include sudden braking, distracted driving, and vehicles or pedestrians stopped on the shoulder. A single incident can cascade quickly if following vehicles don't have enough time or space to react.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Gurnee, IL
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe location away from live traffic lanes if you're able to. Call 911 right away and stay on the shoulder or behind a barrier rather than in the roadway itself. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries from being struck or thrown can take hours to show symptoms.
Report what you saw to responding officers as clearly as you can, including vehicle positions and anything that happened just before the crash. If you were a passenger or bystander, keep any photos you took and note contact information for other witnesses, since these details can help investigators piece together what occurred.
