Lake County man warns drivers about dangerous stretch along I-94

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (December 6, 2016) – For many Lake County residents, the stretch of westbound I-94 near Gurnee, Ill. is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road. Many drivers even refer to the exit at Grand Avenue as “100 feet of terror.”

In September 2016, eight people were injured in an accident involving a semi-truck at this location. The crash sent a total of seven people to the hospital with minor injuries and one person to the hospital in critical condition. Shocking video of the crash was caught on camera and posted on social media.

The September pile up is just one of many accidents that have occurred near exit 132 on westbound I-94. One Round Lake, Ill. man says he is lucky to be alive after a recent accident at the exit.

Bill Bertram was on his way home from work around 5:15 p.m. on November 16, 2016 when he was struck from behind as he was waiting to exit at Grand Avenue. A total of four cars were involved in the crash and the accident left Bill with injuries to his back, neck, left shoulder, elbow and wrist.

“I am lucky to be alive. But I am still feeling the pain from the accident. I have had a headache every day since the accident, and it is really hard to function sometimes,” Bill said.

Bill says he travels along the stretch of road every day on his way home from work in Evanston and has witnessed several accidents. He says the problem is the design of the exit, there is not enough room for people to exit. Bill also notes there are not many alternative routes for people who exit at Grand Avenue.

“You are really taking your life into your own hands when you drive near there, because you really don’t know how people are going to drive. Something needs to be changed or there will definitely be another accident,” Bill said.

This stretch of I-94 is a popular route for people visiting Six Flags Great America. Bill notes a problem with the exit is that people who do not normally drive that way are not prepared to abruptly stop for the backed up traffic at Grand Avenue. Bill hopes motorists who drive I-94 regularly will slow down and really be vigilant of their surroundings to help decrease the amount of accidents.

Bill, who was driving a 2011 Ford Fusion at the time of the crash, says he plans to write a thank you note to Ford Motor Company for designing a car that “really works the way it should in an accident.”

Bill Bertram has hired the Illinois personal injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., to represent him in his case.

For more information on this crash, or to schedule an interview with Mr. Bertram and his attorney, Jennifer Ashley, please contact Marcie Mangan at mmangan@salvilaw.com or call (312) 372-1227.

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