Commuters on the Stevenson Expressway were met with delays and detours Sunday morning after a semi-truck jackknifed and spilled diesel fuel onto the roadway near suburban Summit. NBC Chicago reports that the crash occurred on the outbound side of the expressway near the 1st Avenue exit, prompting authorities to close the stretch of road between Harlem Avenue and 1st Avenue with traffic backed up to Central Avenue.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, the incident happened around 7:30 a.m., leaving all lanes blocked and forcing vehicles to be diverted onto Harlem Avenue. While no other vehicles were involved in the mishap, the jack-knifed semi suffered multiple punctured fuel tanks, complicating the situation.
Illinois State Police were on the scene, managing traffic and investigating the cause of the accident. As the clean-up effort commenced, a large portion of the expressway remained inaccessible to the public, causing significant disruptions for travelers who regularly traverse this arterial route.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident, a fortunate piece of news amidst the chaotic scene. The immediate dangers associated with this type of spill, both environmental and in terms of public safety, were swiftly addressed by emergency services to prevent further complications. The reopening time for the affected section of the Stevenson Expressway has yet to be provided, as crews continue their efforts to clear the aftermath of the crash and ensure the thorough removal of the hazardous material.
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