Band issues statement after 9 hospitalized, 3 with severe injuries, following tour van crash in McHenry

A traveling band from Mexico has announced that all members are expected to survive following a severe crash in McHenry. Their van struck a tree, resulting in three members sustaining severe injuries and six others being hospitalized.

The accident occurred around 7:20 p.m. Saturday at Route 31 and Prime Parkway. Emergency crews, including the McHenry Township Fire Protection District and McHenry Police Department, responded to reports of a crashed transport van with multiple injuries. They arrived within six minutes, finding the van heavily damaged after hitting an electrical pole. Occupants were found injured outside the vehicle; none were trapped. Firefighters began triage and treatment. Damaged, arcing power lines posed a hazard, requiring ComEd response, and a malfunctioning transformer caused a power outage in parts of McHenry.

An investigation by McHenry Deputy Police Chief Thomas Walsh determined the cause: the driver of the northbound white Ford E-350 van (towing a trailer) fell asleep at the wheel. This caused the van to veer into the southbound lane and strike a utility pole in front of 1501 South Front Street.

Battalion Chief Ryan Mastandrea confirmed 14 adults occupied the van at the time of the crash. Due to the number of injured, a significant emergency response was deployed, including two fire engines, multiple fire chiefs, and seven ambulances. Nine occupants were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to severe. Among these nine, three suffered severe injuries; one critically injured victim was airlifted by LifeNet helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center in Libertyville.