Icy Roads Caused Nine Accidents In Grayslake

The reports of accidents came in fast and furious this morning in Grayslake.

"We started responding to all of the accidents at about 6:20 a.m. today," said

The first rollover accident took place on Route 120 and Atkinson Road.

"An eastbound SUV struck a utility pole and tore down wires, disrupting the traffic lights and power lines and leaving the intersection impassable," Hess said. "We had to shut down Route 120 between Routes 83 and 45 for about two hours."

He said the Grayslake Police Department was assisted on the scene by the , due to the overturned vehicle leaking gasoline.

Mobile Eye personnel from Round Lake helped reroute traffic.

"In the midst of that, we also had number of other accidents," Hess said. "There was one on Route 83 and Washington Street, and another rollover accident on Route 45 between Route 120 and Casey Road."

All of the accidents in Grayslake, as well as throughout Lake County, made for very difficult driving conditions.

"It was just chaotic," said Hess.

He called Illinois Department of Transportation, or IDOT, crews for additional road salting because "Route 45 way was just pure ice between Route 120 and Casey Road."

They closed northbound Route 45 in that area for about 45 minutes, Hess said.

One person was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries from the second rollover.

"It was an avalanche of calls over the course of two hours," Hess said. "If it were not for the professionalism of the police, fire and Mobile Eye personnel, it could have been worse."

Mobile Eye is trained volunteer group who responds to assist Round Lake and Grayslake with crowd control and traffic control.

"We're very fortunate that we can call upon them in these types of emergencies," Hess said. "They are terrific."

Drivers who had minor fender benders today are encouraged to go to the Grayslake Police Department to file a desk report within 10 days.