Former Big Ten commissioner in fair condition

Former Big Ten conference Commissioner Wayne Duke has been upgraded to fair condition after being seriously injured in a car crash in Barrington Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

The crash, which also injured an 8-year-old girl, occurred just north of the intersection of Route 59 and Cuba Road about 9 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

Both the 83-year-old Duke and the 8-year-old victim, who was listed in good condition, were taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington, according to police.

Duke was driving a 2003 Cadillac when he crashed into a Mercedes stopped at the stoplight, police said. The 8-year-old girl was a passenger in the Mercedes.

The crash caused extensive damage to Duke's vehicle, which ended up in a ditch, said Barrington Assistant Fire Chief Christian Toussaint.

The driver of the Mercedes, a Cuba Township woman, was ticketed for having a child in the car without a seat belt, police said.

Police said charges are pending in the crash.

The collision also damaged a third vehicle, which was struck by the Mercedes.

Police shut down the southbound lane of Route 59 for about an hour as emergency crews responded to the crash, Toussaint said.

Duke, who is a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, served as commissioner of the Big Ten for 18 years before retiring in 1989.

Before his time with the Big Ten, he became the youngest executive officer of a major athletic conference when he was named commissioner of the Big Eight Conference in 1963.