A press from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Roll-over traffic crash – Rt. 176, Crystal Lake

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at approximately 8:36 a.m. emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to Illinois Route 176 ¼ mile east of Bryn Mawr Lane for a report of a motor vehicle crash in which a vehicle had rolled over.

The vacinity of the accident on Route 176 in western Crystal Lake.

Upon arrival emergency crews tended to the occupants of the single vehicle involved; Alma Mendez, 25 of Marengo, IL, and her two sons; one two years old, and the other six weeks old.

It was determined through a subsequent investigation that Mendez’s vehicle, a 1997 GMC Jimmy, had been eastbound on Rt. 176 when loss of control occurred and the vehicle left the roadway.

The vehicle entered the ditch on the south side of the highway, rolling on its side multiple times, before coming to rest in a tree line.

While unconfirmed, it was reported Mendez had become distracted attempting to remove an insect from within the vehicle.

No other vehicles or utilities were involved. Several passers-by had stopped to provide aid, and assisted the occupants from the vehicle.

Alma Mendez and her children were transported by ambulance to Centegra Memorial Hospital, Woodstock.

d with a seatbelt or child safety seats within the vehicle.

The vehicle incurred extensive damage.

Traffic on Rt. 176 was reduced to one lane, and intermittently blocked for approximately forty minutes as the scene was investigated and the vehicle and debris was removed.

Alma Mendez was cited for

• Improper Lane Usage,
• Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and
• Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Driver’s License.