MARENGO, ILLINOIS — No charges or citations will be issued after a semi-truck crashed into a garbage truck that was collecting trash in unincorporated Marengo, sending three people to the hospital and shutting down Route 23 for several hours, according to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts.

Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 7 a.m. Wednesday to the area of Route 23 and Collins Road for a reported two-vehicle crash with injuries. Fire crews initially reported one victim may have been ejected, but Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts Chief John Kimmel said it was later determined the victim had not been ejected.

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Officials said a medical helicopter was placed on standby and later canceled, and three ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Communication Specialist Emily Matusek-Baker said a preliminary investigation found a 2016 International semi-tractor-trailer was traveling northbound on Route 23 south of Collins Road when it struck a 2005 MDC garbage truck that was backing into a driveway on Route 23 to pick up a garbage container.

Matusek-Baker said the semi struck the cab portion of the garbage truck while it was still in the roadway. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, and the semi-tractor-trailer came to rest off the roadway.

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Authorities said the garbage truck was occupied by a driver and a passenger. The driver suffered more significant injuries, and both were taken by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Huntley, officials said. The semi-truck driver was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry.

Matusek-Baker said all three victims were expected to survive and did not have life-threatening injuries. Kimmel said none of the three adult males was believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Investigators said foggy conditions and the semi cresting a small hill on Route 23 were believed to be contributing factors. Kimmel said Route 23 between Kishwaukee Valley Road and River Road was shut down for approximately three hours while heavy wrecker crews removed the vehicles.

Matusek-Baker said Friday that no charges or citations were filed for either driver.

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