Driver injured when pickup bursts into flames after crash on I-355
A driver suffered injuries not considered life-threatening when his pickup truck burst into flames following a multivehicle crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 355 early Tuesday morning near Lombard, according to Illinois State Police.
The pickup driver was taken to a nearby hospital after being extricated from his vehicle, state police officials said.
Meanwhile, DuPage County Board Chairwoman Deborah Conroy on Tuesday recognized a county employee who was among several people who stopped to help at the crash.
Craig Dieckman, director of the county’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, was on his way to work when he spotted the crash and jumped in to help.
“There were a number of strangers who stopped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits … all working together to try to get this individual out of the burning vehicle,” the Arlington Heights man said, adding they were able to extricate the driver in the burning pickup truck by the time emergency crews arrived. “We were all working together. Every single one of them was amazing.”
ISP officials said the crash just south of the North Avenue junction involved the pickup and a van.
The driver of the van also suffered injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening and transported to a hospital.
Dieckman, who served as a Palatine firefighter in the 1980s, heralded the efforts of the others who stopped to help.
“To the people who stopped today: someone has a chance and is alive today because they pulled them out at grave personal risk to themselves,” he said during an interview Tuesday.
County officials only learned of Dieckman’s role because the 12-year county employee had to call in to say he’d be late for the 8 a.m. finance committee meeting.
Conroy lauded his efforts during Tuesday’s county board meeting.
“Good work, Craig,” she said. “When you said hello to me this morning, you didn’t have your cape on.”
ISP troopers are investigating the crash.
The crash was reported at about 7:30 a.m. It resulted in at least one overturned vehicle.