A major crash involving six vehicles shut down a portion of the Edens Expressway early Sunday morning.
The collision happened around 4:47 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-94.
Illinois State Police responded to the scene between Dempster Street and Golf Road in Skokie.
Troopers confirmed that a pedestrian was struck by one of the vehicles during the chaos.
Paramedics rushed the pedestrian to a local hospital for treatment.
Several people who were inside the involved cars also suffered injuries and required hospitalization.
Officials have not yet released the names or current conditions of those injured.
It remains unclear why the pedestrian was out on the high-speed roadway.
Police are investigating if the person was a passenger who had exited a vehicle after an initial collision.
The crash forced authorities to close all northbound lanes for several hours.
Traffic was diverted off the expressway at Dempster Street as investigators worked the scene.
Cleanup crews successfully cleared the wreckage and reopened all lanes before noon.
No charges have been filed at this time as the investigation continues.
Recent History of Edens Expressway Accidents
This stretch of the Edens Expressway through Skokie and Northbrook has seen a rise in serious incidents over the last year.
In July 2025, two separate fatal crashes occurred within 48 hours in this same general area.
One of those incidents involved a three-car pileup near Dundee Road that resulted in a death.
Earlier in 2025, another driver was killed after hitting a concrete barrier near Winnetka Road.
Local authorities often cite low visibility and high speeds as major factors in early morning weekend crashes on this corridor.
The Illinois State Police continue to urge drivers to stay inside their vehicles if they become disabled on the expressway to avoid pedestrian strikes.
