Chevy Suburban Crash into light pole, Denny’s Restaurant on Algonquin Road west of Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.
Police and firefighter/paramedics from the Arlington Heights Police and Fire Departments were dispatched about 12:04 p.m. Sunday May 3, 2020 to a traffic crash with entrapment at the Denny’s restaurant building at 17 Wests Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights. A Chevy SUV struck and penetrated the east wall of Denny’s restaurant, seriously damaging the wall and interior furnishing and contents. No customers were in the dining area during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, but cooks and workers were operating the business for meal pickup service.
Arlington Heights Fire Department firefighters and paramedics extricated the driver., and paramedics treated four occupants of the Suburban and one restaurant employee. Only the driver was transported to Northwest Community Hospital with injuries that initially appeared to be non-life threatening. The passengers (four minor children of the driver) and employee were released at the scene. Two ambulances, a rescue squad, a fire engine, and the Battalion Chief scene command unit were dispatched to the scene.
Arlington Heights police reported that a red 2007 Chevrolet Suburban and the Denny’s structure were involved in the crash. According to an independent witness and a preliminary on-scene investigation by police, the vehicle was being driven westbound on Algonquin Road and approaching Arlington Heights Road when the driver apparently suffered a medical episode. The Chevy Suburban drifted into the oncoming eastbound lanes of Algonquin and then left the roadway.
The SUV initially struck a large metal street light police and then hit the Denny’s wall. A booth that seats about 12 people was directly on the other side of the wall that took the main brunt of the crash.
The witness also happened to be a Good Samaritan, and stopped to help remove the driver’s three minor children from the Suburban as it wedged hazardously in the wall and debris.
Arlington Heights Police Department released the identity of the driver as Jose Ozaeta, age 43, of Mundelein, Illinois. Ozaeta was charged with Improper Lane Use, and his court date is pending.
The crash investigation is currently ongoing and no additional information is available and/or ready for release at this time, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
The Arlington Heights Denny’s [MAP/PHONE/HOURS] may be closed (including pickup service) for about three weeks (estimated) for structural repairs, and appliance and furnishings replacements.
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