Emergency crews responded to a devastating scene in Zion early Thursday morning.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people lost their lives in a violent head-on collision.
The crash involved a passenger car and a large semi-truck.
Authorities say the two victims were both traveling inside the car at the time of the impact.
Aerial footage from ABC7 Chopper showed the car sustained catastrophic damage during the wreck.
A third vehicle was also caught in the pileup after the initial hit.
Police immediately closed Route 173 to all traffic to begin their investigation.
The closure stretched from Kilbourne Road to U.S. 41 in both directions.
Investigators have not yet released the identities of the two people who died.
It is currently unclear what caused the car to veer into the path of the oncoming semi-truck.
Recent History
This stretch of Route 173 is known by local drivers for its heavy industrial traffic.
Zion has seen a rise in serious accidents involving large commercial vehicles over the last year.
Just months ago, residents expressed concerns about speeding near the Kilbourne Road intersection.
State police records show that head-on collisions remain one of the leading causes of road fatalities in Lake County.
Local safety advocates have frequently called for increased patrols on these high-speed rural routes.
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal wrecks on the outskirts of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Emergency responders noted that the early morning hours often see a dangerous mix of commuters and long-haul truckers.
The sheriff’s office continues to look for witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to the crash.
No other information was available.
