Suburban resident renews safety plea after serious rollover crash

BARRINGTON - One week after a truck driver was seriously injured in a rollover crash in northwest suburban Barrington, a concerned resident is renewing calls for safety improvements at a busy intersection.

What we know:

A resident whose subdivision borders Dundee and Barrington roads said he has been warning officials about the dangers of the intersection for nearly three years.

Ken Rusin, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than two decades, said he’s fed up with speeding cars, red-light runners, and frequent crashes at the intersection.

Since 2022, Rusin has sent numerous emails to village officials to urge changes, including stepped-up police patrols. 

"Some of us refer to this as the lawless intersection," Rusin said. "Many of us have reached out to the police department and the village many times — phone calls, emails — asking for help."

On busy mornings, Rusin likens the intersection to the Indy 500. He says he understands it's a high-traffic thoroughfare but feels that some of the collisions could be prevented. 

"I'm scared to death. I cross this intersection myself to take walks, walk my dog, and my kids used it when they went to the Prairie Middle School right down the street here," Rusin said. "There's been some near-severe accidents of pedestrians."

Rusin reached out to FOX 32 Chicago after a serious crash one week ago. 

Last Wednesday, a dump truck and SUV collided, causing the truck to overturn. SkyFOX video showed the cab smashed into the ground.

The truck driver had to be extricated and flown to a hospital with serious injuries.

Rusin said the crash could have been much worse and fears someone will be killed if safety measures aren’t added. 

Currently, there is one east-west crosswalk on Barrington Road, but there are no speed or red-light cameras installed at the intersection. 

"I think the only thing that can really change that would benefit all public safety would be just to have some police patrols here and maybe have them in the area, they're just not here, I just don't see 'em," Rusin said. 

What they're saying:

The intersection also borders the Village of Inverness, but a spokesperson there confirmed the intersection falls within the Village of Barrington's jurisdiction. 

In a statement, a spokesperson with the Village of Barrington released the following statement:

"Barrington Road and Route 68 are both state routes. The intersection of these two state roadways handles approximately 28,000 vehicles daily and has been a permanent location within the Village of Barrington's Selective Targeted Enforcement Program for several years due to its high traffic volume.

"Crash statistics at state routes are regularly submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Bureau of Traffic for evaluation so this state agency, which has jurisdiction over state routes, can determine whether the current signage and traffic signals at this location remain appropriate and effective.

"The police department remains committed to enforcing traffic laws and ensuring roadway safety, with particular attention given to construction vehicle operations at all of its high-volume intersections, such as Barrington/68."

What's next:

The Illinois Department of Transportation, on Wednesday, shared intersection crash data, which shows roughly 10 recorded crashes per year since 2020; however, an IDOT spokesperson clarified that when it comes to changing traffic signals or signage, it would be up to the Village of Barrington to submit a permit to IDOT for consideration.

Rusin reported that he witnessed another car crash on Thursday morning. He said he plans to address the village board at the end of the month regarding the issue.

"I spoke with one of the drivers of the truck and trailer who told me the other car turned on red right in front of him," Rusin said.