Incident Details

An Illinois state trooper sustained injuries while investigating a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway, as reported by Illinois State Police. The incident unfolded in the outbound lanes of the expressway at the intersection with the Chicago Skyway, occurring shortly before 2:30 a.m.

Circumstances of the Crash

According to authorities, the trooper was conducting an investigation at the scene of a single-vehicle crash. The collision, which involved an IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) truck, had blocked two lanes. Both the trooper and the IDOT worker had activated their emergency lights to alert approaching vehicles.

Collision Impact

Tragically, a passing vehicle struck the trooper and the IDOT truck. At the time of the crash, both the trooper and the IDOT worker were situated within their respective vehicles. The force of the impact resulted in injuries to the trooper and the driver of the passing vehicle.

Injury Severity

While the injuries sustained by the trooper and the passing vehicle’s driver were reported as non-life threatening, both individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Fortunately, the driver of the IDOT vehicle escaped with minor injuries and received on-site treatment.

Road Closure and Investigation

Following the collision, authorities closed the outbound local lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash. However, these lanes were reopened to traffic shortly before 4 a.m., allowing for the resumption of normal traffic flow.

Promoting Road Safety

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and roadside workers during their duties. It underscores the importance of adhering to traffic laws and exercising caution when navigating through accident scenes. As communities, it’s crucial to prioritize road safety initiatives to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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