6 Hurt After Car Crashes Into Grayslake Church During Food Drive
(CBS) -- Sunday services will go on at a Grayslake church, even though a car crashed through the front doors Saturday, sending five people to a hospital.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, the human toll could have been greater, because of the time of day.
The 2002 burgundy Toyota Camry was towed out of Wildwood Presbyterian Church, in Grayslake.
"Somebody was backing out…so they just boom into the church," said witness Juanita Smith. "Everybody started running and hollering."
"The crash will remain under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Technical Crash Investigations Unit," said Det. Christopher Covelli Lake County Sheriff's office.
When the vehicle came barreling through the church entrance, church elder Mark Taylor says there were more than 100 people standing in line outside to receive food from the monthly church food drive.
The 72 year-old driver of the Toyota, had just picked up some food, before her car careened into the church. The driver and four other people went to a hospital.
"One lady was pinned against the wall, between the wall and the car," Smith said.
"The paramedics came and extricated her," said church volunteer Jennifer Outa.
"It was probably about 30 minute extrication time and by the time we got her out to the hospital, it was probably about 30 minutes," said Grayslake Fire Dept. Battalion Chief James Weidman.
Some were taken from the scene in serious condition, but with non-life threatening injuries.
"Several other people were injured from flying debris and flying tables however those individuals did not seek medical treatment at that time," Covelli said.
The building sustained no structural damage and all planned church activities will continue as scheduled.