Passenger in frightful crash in fair condition
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com January 11, 2013 3:56PM
Justin Schulze, 23, of Wildwood was driving a Mercedes-Benz SUV eastbound on Rollins Road when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a guardrail, rolled over and burst into flames. | Special to Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 13, 2013 6:09AM
Looking at the burned out hulk of a Mercedes-Benz SUV, it’s a wonder anyone survived.
Indeed, first responders were even surprised two individuals walked away from the one-vehicle crash on Rollins Road, west of Gurnee. But they did.
The passenger in the early morning rollover accident where the vehicle burst into flames was listed in fair condition Friday after he had part of his foot amputated. The driver has been released from the hospital.
John Bruhn, 29, address unknown, lost part of his foot and also suffered broken ribs in the accident that occurred around 3:15 a.m. Thursday.
The driver, Justin Schultze, 23, of the 18000 block of Lindenwood Drive, Wildwood, has been released from Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville.
When Grayslake Fire Department emergency crews arrived on the scene, the SUV was in flames and both occupants were out of the vehicle.
The accident closed down Rollins Road until 7:15 a.m., because Lake County Division of Transportation workers had to get ice off the roadway which built up from water firefighters used to extinguish the vehicle fire.
The black Mercedes-Benz was traveling eastbound on Rollins, just west of Route 45, when Schulze apparently lost control and the vehicle hit the guardrail on the north side of the road.
The vehicle rolled over and then caught fire.
The investigation will continue to determine if there were any contributing factors to the accident, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, said Friday.
