Palos Park, IL – A pickup truck crashed into the Transfiguration Church in Palos Park Friday afternoon, leaving several people hospitalized, including children, police officers, and church staff.
According to the Palos Park Police Department, the crash happened shortly after 4:30 p.m. when the driver of a pickup truck traveling east on McCarthy Road allegedly suffered a medical emergency. The truck veered off 123rd Street, entered the church parking lot at 86th Avenue, and continued into the building.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene where three children were found injured and transported to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. A church staff member also reportedly suffered a medical episode and was taken to Palos Northwestern Hospital, the same facility treating the truck’s driver. Two Palos Park police officers assisting at the scene were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and exposure to construction debris while attempting to rescue the children from inside the church.
The section of 86th Avenue between 119th and 123rd streets remains closed as accident reconstructionists and evidence technicians continue to investigate. Village officials and church staff are working together with partner agencies to manage the aftermath.
Authorities say the investigation will continue overnight, with another update expected within 24 hours as more details are confirmed.
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