Man Charged For Crashing into Gurnee Middle School

A 67-year-old man who drove a minivan into a northern Illinois middle school, pinning an 11-year-old boy, is facing a charge for the crash.

Jae Pyo Kong was charged with negligent driving for Wednesday's accident in the Lake County community of Gurnee, according to reports.

The Highland Park man was delivering the school's band uniforms from a local dry cleaners when Kong hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, crashing — in reverse — through the front double doors of Woodland Middle School.

The 11-year-old was with his father when the vehicle ran into them, pinning the boy beneath its wheel. A Gurnee police official said the 67-year-old driver "apparently mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal."

Rescuers needed to use a Jaws of Life-type tool to free the boy, officials said.

The boy was taken to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. His injuries were described as not life-threatening.

Three other people on the scene were treated but refused transport.