Illinois State Police responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on the Dan Ryan Expressway early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:56 a.m. in the southbound express lanes near the 37th Street interchange.
An Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Emergency Traffic Patrol worker was present at the scene providing assistance to a stranded driver.
The IDOT worker stood outside of their official patrol truck at the time of the collision.
The patrol truck displayed fully activated emergency lights to alert oncoming motorists to the presence of emergency personnel.
A Kia sedan traveling in the southbound express lanes lost control and veered toward the shoulder.
The Kia struck the rear of the IDOT truck with significant force.
The impact of the crash pushed the IDOT vehicle into the area where the stranded driver’s car was positioned.
Emergency crews transported both the IDOT worker and the driver of the Kia to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
Illinois State Police confirmed that both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the accident.
Watch the video from ABC7Chicago below.
The crash caused a significant disruption to traffic flow in the southbound express lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Authorities closed the lanes entirely to allow for a thorough crash investigation and the removal of debris.
Commuters experienced delays as police processed the scene for several hours during the early morning.
The expressway lanes remained closed until investigators cleared the scene at approximately 6:30 a.m.
The Illinois State Police have not yet released additional details regarding the cause of the Kia driver’s loss of control.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by emergency responders working on Chicago’s high-traffic expressways.
Motorists are reminded to adhere to Illinois’ “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with activated lights.
The Move Over law exists specifically to prevent these types of collisions and to protect workers performing essential duties on the roadway.
Residents traveling through the 37th Street corridor should remain vigilant of sudden slowdowns, especially during late-night or early-morning hours when visibility may be reduced.
Drivers should also exercise caution when they see emergency lights reflecting off the pavement or concrete barriers.
Maintaining a safe distance from all service vehicles ensures that these workers can assist stranded motorists without facing unnecessary risks.
Police continue to analyze the circumstances surrounding the Kia sedan’s trajectory before the impact occurred.
Local officials emphasize that the primary goal of the IDOT Emergency Traffic Patrol is to keep traffic moving safely while assisting those in need.
The community is encouraged to report any suspicious or dangerous driving behaviors observed on the Dan Ryan to the Illinois State Police.
No further information regarding the identities of those involved has been made public at this time.
Updates regarding the investigation will be provided as Illinois State Police finalize their findings.
