3 people critically injured in Union-area crash during whiteout conditions

Three people were critically injured among the five who were taken to hospitals in a crash near Union Sunday morning.

The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts and the Union Fire Protection District were dispatched to a reported two-vehicle crash at the intersection of north Union Road and Route 176 just before 9:30 a.m., district Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said.

Crews were informed en route that bystander CPR was being performed on one of the people involved in the crash.

The crash happened roughly half a mile east of the intersection on Route 176. Roads were covered in snow at the time and whiteout conditions were present, Vucha said.

According to a report received by the National Weather Service, Marengo received 4 inches of snow Sunday.

Firefighters found a two-vehicle crash with heavy damage and multiple patients when they arrived to the scene, Vucha said.

A medical helicopter was requested but unable to respond because of the weather, and fire crews upgraded the call for additional ambulances, Vucha said.

Five people were transported to local hospitals; three were critically injured, one was in serious condition and one had minor injuries, Vucha said. Another person declined medical attention.

Crystal Lake, Harvard, Huntley and Woodstock ambulances were on scene and Nunda Rural covered the Marengo station with an ambulance during the crash, Vucha said.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.

This story has been updated after authorities revised the number of people transported to hospitals.