One Seriously Injured in Car vs Semi Crash

Update: The man injured in this crash has died.

A 26-year-old McHenry County man was seriously injured in a car vs. semi crash Thursday in northern Kane County, according to police.

Martin Baureis, of Johnsburg, Ill., was driving a Toyota four-door on Route 72 east of Big Timber Road when his vehicle crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, the Kane County Sheriff's Office said. Sheriff's deputies responded to the crash at about 10:15 a.m. Thursday.

"(Baureis) was flown by Flight for Life to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Ill. with life-threatening injuries," the Sheriff's Office statement said. The driver of the semi, 47-year-old Michael Fritz of McHenry, was uninjured.

The Toyota also started on fire after the crash while Baureis was pinned in the vehicle.

Deputies have not established if texting while driving, drugs or alcohol played a role in this crash.

The crash narrative is as follows:

A semi-tractor was traveling east on Route 72 after stopping for the stop sign at Big Timber Road, according to an initial investigation.

"As the semi-tractor approached a curve in the roadway the driver observed a Toyota traveling west on Route 72 at a high rate of speed," the statement said. "The Toyota had crossed the center line and into the oncoming lane of traffic."

Fritz attempted to avoid a crash with the Toyota but was unable to do so. After the crash the Toyota started on fire and Baureis, who was the sole occupant, was pinned in the vehicle.

Police were able to keep the fire from reaching the passenger compartment of the vehicle by using fire extinguishers.

Firemen from the Pingree Grove Fire Department arrived on scene and extricated Baureis from the Toyota. He was then transported by helicopter.

Kane County sheriff’s deputies and members of the County Crash Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash.

Officers and deputies from the following agencies assisted with keeping the car fire from Baureis:

• Gilberts Police Department
• Kane County Forest Preserve Police
• Kane County Sheriff's Office
• Pinegree Grove Police Department

Initial post:

Police and firemen are at the scene of a car crash and fire today in northern Kane County, the County sheriff's office confirms.

The crash occurred sometime after 10 a.m. in Rutland Township west of Elgin, according to initial reports. A medical helicopter was en route to the scene after 10:30 a.m.

Firemen and Kane County sheriff's deputies responded to the crash site, which readers report as being near the intersection of Route 72 and Big Timber Road. Readers reported hearing the helicopter overhead as it passed through the Tri-Cities area.

First responders mentioned vehicle entrapment and a car fire in initial scanner reports. Further details on the crash were not immediately available.

Patch will post an update when more information is released.

This story was originally sent out Thursday afternoon on Dec. 6 as a Breaking News Alert. Get Patch news alerts sent straight to your e-mail.