Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has announced that traffic investigators are examining a serious multi-vehicle accident that occurred on the morning of June 3, 2025, in Beach Park.

According to a preliminary investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a 74-year-old man from Zion driving a GMC Acadia struck the stop arm of a school bus on North Sheridan Road near Mawman Avenue. The bus had two children and a driver on board, with two more children boarding at the time. Fortunately, no one on or around the bus was injured. After the impact, the GMC continued north and sideswiped a Ford Focus driven by a 49-year-old Beach Park man, pushing it into a utility pole.

The incident escalated as the GMC collided with two southbound vehicles: a Chevrolet Colorado driven by a 39-year-old Winthrop Harbor man and a Ford Flex driven by a 28-year-old Fox Lake woman. The GMC driver was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The drivers of the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Colorado sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries, while the Ford Flex driver was unharmed. Investigators suspect that the GMC driver may have experienced a medical episode prior to these collisions. The Technical Crash Investigations Team is continuing its review of the incident.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office plays an essential role in maintaining order, upholding laws, and protecting individual rights within the community. According to their website, they focus on service through education, communication, partnerships, and enforcement with an aim to build public trust. Their core values include integrity, respect, and professionalism.

Founded in 1839 alongside Lake County itself, the Sheriff's Office has expanded over time with significant developments such as the jail and courthouse additions in 1895 and the construction of the Robert H. Babcox Justice Center in 1986 to house both sheriff’s office operations and correctional facilities. Named after Sheriff Babcox (1982–1988), this center represents ongoing efforts to modernize services for Lake County's growing population.