Tree Branch Falls on Car, Impales Lake Villa Woman

October 27, 2010 - A Lake Villa woman was seriously injured on Tuesday when a tree branch fell on her car, broke through her windshield and impaled her. According to a report at the Chicago Breaking News Center, the accident happened shortly before 7:30 a.m. during one of the most severe windstorms to hit this area in decades.

Police say the victim was driving eastbound on Grand Avenue in Lindenhurst when a branch from a nearby tree hit her car near the intersection with Deep Lake Road. The branch crashed into the windshield and impaled the woman's stomach. Pictures from the scene show that the vehicle, which looks like a yellow Smart car, was severely crushed by the falling branch. Emergency crews worked for nearly half an hour before they were able to extricate the victim from the crushed vehicle.

The victim has been identified only as a 41-year-old woman from Lake Villa. She is receiving treatment for serious personal injuries at Condell Medical Center. Police say she has already had at least one surgery since the accident occurred, but it is not known if her injuries are considered life threatening.