Fatal crash with Des Plaines River levee wall at Milwaukee Avenue and River Road Prospect Heights Saturday morning, August 27, 2022. YouTube Tips ⓘ

Police, firefighters and paramedics from Prospect Heights responded about 5:51 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2022 to a report of a serious vehicle crash involving the Des Plaines River levee wall at River Road and Milwaukee Avenue in Prospect Heights. Rescuers received a report that the vehicle hit the call, was then on fire, and crashed into the water below.

Firefighters responding reported seeing a smoke header; sunrise in Prospect Heights was at 6:13 a.m. Wheeling firefighters and a Glenview Department boat were immediately dispatched.

Prospect Heights Fire Protection District Battalion 9 reported a vehicle over the wall and on the river side of the wall. A Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD boat was then assigned to the scene. Wheeling and Des Plaines special dive units were also assigned to the call.

The vehicle fire was declared out at about 6:18 a.m. Firefighters and divers then searched for any possible additional victims in the water. No additional victims were discovered.

The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle was completely consumed by fire.

Firefighters established buoy rolls or booms around the burnt out vehicle to prevent floating oils and gasoline from contaminating river water and to protect the environment.

The intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and River Road was closed during rescue, and while police crash investigators gathered evidence at the scene. Mount Prospect police officers assisted Prospect Heights Police Department.

Although officials did not speak about the cause of the crash or the circumstances involving the crash investigation, it appeared the driver was northbound on River Road at a high rate of speed and passed through the T-intersection with Milwaukee Avenue and then crashed into the wall.

The crash destroyed a guardrail in front of the levee wall, and then damaged a levee wall panel. The vehicle when over the levee wall and then down at least 20 feet to the river bank.

Initially the crashed vehicle was believed to be the only vehicle involved in the crash. Police were checking for the presence of any security cameras at nearby buildings that might have captured the crash.

The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.

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