June 08--A 14-year-old Chicago girl was killed and seven others were injured -- including two youths in serious condition -- after their SUV blew a tire and crashed on the Tri-State Tollway in Deerfield on the way home from Great America, authorities said.
The crash happened about 10:15 p.m. Sunday as the 2002 Ford Explorer headed east on Interstate 94 near Half Day Road, according to Illinois State Police. The SUV struck a guardrail, causing three youths inside to be ejected, state police said.
One of those, a 14-year-old girl, was struck by a semi, state police said. She was pronounced dead on the scene. A 15-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy also were ejected. They are in serious condition, according to Illinois State Police acting district Cmdr. Robert Meeder.
There were four adults and four children in the SUV, Meeder said. The vehicle was made to seat seven people, he said.
The eight people were returning home from Great America.
The 14-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:45 p.m., according to the Lake County coroner's office. Officials would not release the girl's name, citing a policy to not identify minors.
The injured were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and Lake Forest Hospital, authorities said.
State police earlier said none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
The semi driver was not hurt, state police said.
All eastbound lanes were closed for about 3 1/2 hours while state police investigated the scene. Traffic was diverted at Town Line Road.
Authorities were still investigating the accident late Monday morning. Additional details were not available.
