FORNEY, Texas — Forney High School graduate and former Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie was injured in a fatal crash in a Chicago suburb on Monday night and is now recovering.
FORNEY, Texas — Forney High School graduate and former Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie was injured in a fatal crash in a Chicago suburb on Monday night and is now recovering.
Forney High School graduate Caleb Hanie was injured in the crash and recovering in a local hospital, according to family members.
At approximately 9:45 p.m., on May 16, 2016, Barrington Hills Police Chief Richard Semelsberger says Hanie was a passenger in a 2015 Mercedes Benz when it left the roadway, struck a tree, and crashed into a ditch.
The driver, 35-year-old Salvatore J DiMucci of Barrington Hills, Illinois, was transported to St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates, where he later died, according to a Barrington Hills Police Department press release obtained by inForney.com.
Hanie sustained non-life threatening injuries, according to the release, and was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington.
Family members say Hanie suffered bruised lungs and multiple broken fingers which required surgery.
Another passenger in the vehicle, Joseph LaRocque of Agoura Hills, California, was also transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
LaRocque is a former linebacker for the Chicago Bears and current CEO of Rock Solid, an athletic protection gear company, where Hanie serves as vice president.
"They were coming back from having dinner in South Barrington," Semelsberger told the Chicago Tribune. "We don't have a toxicology report back yet. It could take a few weeks."
In 2002, Hanie led the Forney High School Jackrabbits to the Class 3A Division I State Semifinals where they were defeated by the eventual state champions Everman, 21-14. In 2003, Hanie again led the team deep into the playoffs – this time dropping out with a loss against Gainesville in the quarterfinals, 24-21.
Hanie began his career in the NFL in 2008 after signing on with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free-agent out of Colorado State. Hanie eventually made his way into the backup quarterback position for Jay Cutler.
Hanie also appeared on rosters for the Dallas Cowboys, the Denver Broncos, and the Baltimore Ravens. Hanie completed his college career at Colorado State University fifth in Mountain West history with 39 touchdown passes and seventh with 6,523 total yards.