Two young passengers were airlifted to the hospital after a crash in McDonough County on Saturday, October 5th, 2013.
Illinois State Police say an SUV was traveling westbound on Illinois Route 9 at E. 750th Street, when the 17-year-old driver stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a small animal.
The driver of a car behind the SUV swerved to the left to avoid a collision, but investigators say the 17-year-old driver of that car ended up in the eastbound lane and hit an oncoming vehicle head-on.
Police say the 53-year-old driver of the oncoming vehicle and a passenger from the car that hit the vehicle were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and later released.
However, investigators say two young passengers from the car that swerved into the other lane had to be airlifted from the scene after they were extricated from the car. Their conditions were unknown.
Police say seat belts were worn by all the occupants and no alcohol was involved.
The driver of the car that hit the oncoming vehicle was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and for improper lane usage.